Invariant and subject-dependent features of otoacoustic emissions

Abstract

Transiently-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) from nine normoacousic subjects have been studied by Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) at different stimulation intensities, and their dynamics characterized as for the content of determinism. The same linear scaling of determinism with the stimulation intensity has been found in a well defined intensity interval and in all subjects. Outside that interval and, in particular, above its upper end, subject-dependent features are clearly visible in the form of different maximal levels of determinism. These observations may open the door to a systematic study of the anatomical and physiological bases of both individual and subject-dependent features in otoacoustic emissions.