Creating a TEOAE Pass/Refer Protocol

Lyra Support

It is possible to create a screening protocol in the TEOAE module that provides a test outcome labelled as PASS, REFER or INCOMPLETE.

The application of TEOAEs in screening is very different to that when used for diagnostic purposes. It is therefore extremely important to select the correct test settings or protocol, depending on the patient or expected use of the test results.

As a screening protocol is typically used for the purpose of differentiating patients with likely normal hearing from those with a peripheral dysfunction, it is important to create a protocol that has only a small probability of providing a pass on a test, for patients with a moderate or greater hearing impairment.

In newborn hearing screening, test protocols typically require that 3 out of 4 bands (in the speech frequency range) are detected for a PASS result. When the newborn passes the hearing screening test, it indicates that there is a significantly low chance that they have a significant auditory disorder requiring amplification (e.g., a hearing aid or cochlear implant).

A REFER result only indicates that the detection criteria of the test protocol was not met. This could be due to test conditions (i.e., too noisy), a hearing loss (conductive or sensorineural) or poor testing techniques.

Infants that REFER on a screening test may be rescreened before being referred to a diagnostic audiology department for more thorough testing to rule out a permanent hearing loss.

Ensure that the pass-refer protocol that you create is valid for the test population and for the expected clinical outcome. For more comprehensive information about outer hair cell function and for clinical based treatment and rehabilitation decisions, a diagnostic OAE protocol should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic audiological tests.

A protocol used for screening purposes has the purpose of differentiating patients with likely normal hearing from those with a peripheral dysfunction. Therefore, it is important to create a protocol that has only a small probability of providing a pass on a test, on patients with a moderate or greater hearing impairment.