Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions May Reveal Damage to Outer Hair Cells Caused by Exposure to Recreational Noise: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Recreational noise-induced hearing loss (RNIHL) is a significant factor contributing to hearing loss in young people. Its process is irreversible, and early symptoms are hidden. Therefore, early identification is of great significance. Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are commonly used to detect the function of outer hair cells. It is widely used for early diagnosis of occupational noise-induced hearing loss, but it remains underutilized in RNIHL detection. In order to explore the characteristics of RNIHL and the early detection value of different types of OAEs, this study reviewed the detection results of OAEs in previous studies on noise-induced hearing loss and analyzed the differences and causes among the studies. The study found that, through the detection of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), there were differences in the sensitive frequency bands of outer hair cell damage between recreational noise and occupational noise, particularly in the high-frequency region. Transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) can fully reflect the damage to cochlear outer hair cells caused by RNIHL. This study indicates that OAEs, particularly TEOAEs, can serve as a highly sensitive and objective detection tool for RNIHL, whereas DPOAEs are more appropriate for the early screening of occupational noise-induced hearing loss.