Evoked otoacoustic emissions: an alternative test of auditory function in horses.
Abstract: Deafness has been reported in horses due to a variety of causes and objective auditory assessment has been performed with brainstem auditory evoked potential testing. Evoked otoacoustic emission (OAE) tests are widely used in human patients for hearing screening, detecting partial hearing loss (including frequency-specific hearing loss) and monitoring cochlear outer hair cell function over time. OAE tests are noninvasive, quick and affordable. Two types of OAE are commonly used clinically: transient evoked OAEs (TEOAEs) and distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs). Detection of OAEs has not been reported and OAE testing has not been evaluated for auditory assessment in horses. Objective: To investigate whether TEOAEs and DPOAEs can be recorded in horses, and to evaluate the use of human OAE screening protocols in horses with apparently normal hearing. Methods: Sixteen systemically healthy horses with normal behavioural responses to sound were included. OAE testing was performed during general anaesthesia using commercially available equipment and the final outcome for each ear for the TEOAE test (after a maximum of 3 runs) and the DPOAE test (after one run) were compared. Results: TEOAEs and DPOAEs can be recorded in horses. Using the chosen TEOAE protocol, 96% of ears achieved a pass. Seventy percent of ears passed DPOAE testing, despite all of these ears passing TEOAE testing. Conclusions: Using the chosen stimulus and analysis protocols, TEOAEs were recorded from most ears; however, a smaller proportion of ears passed the DPOAE protocol, suggesting that this may be overly stringent and require further optimisation in horses. Conclusions: OAE testing is rapid and easily performed in anaesthetised horses. It provides frequency-specific information about outer hair cell function, and is a promising tool for audiological assessment in the horse; however, it has not been assessed in conscious or sedated animals.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-02-02 PubMed ID: 22296459DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00542.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Animal Health
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Equine Studies
- Horses
- Noninvasive Procedures
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
Summary
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The research investigates the application of evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAE) tests, commonly used in humans, for auditory assessments in horses. The study concludes that OAE testing is a quick, affordable, and promising tool for hearing evaluation in horses.
Overview of Research
- This research focuses on the use of evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAE) tests to assess hearing in horses. Deafness in horses is due to various causes and has traditionally been evaluated using brainstem auditory evoked potential testing.
- OAE testing is common in humans for hearing screening, to detect partial hearing loss, and monitor cochlear outer hair cell function over time. This testing is non-invasive, fast and cost-effective.
- The study aimed to find out if two common types of OAE used in humans: transient evoked OAEs (TEOAEs) and distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs), could be recorded in horses.
Methodology
- 16 healthy horses that showed normal behavioural responses to sound were chosen for the study.
- The OAE tests were performed while the horses were under general anesthesia using commercial equipment.
- The final outcomes for each ear for the TEOAE test (conducted a maximum of 3 times) and the DPOAE test (done once) were compared.
Results
- The results show that it is possible to record both TEOAEs and DPOAEs in horses.
- Most of the horse ears (96%) passed the TEOAE test under the chosen protocol, but a smaller proportion of ears (70%) passed the DPOAE test, despite all these passing the TEOAE test. The researchers suggest that the DPOAE protocol may be overly stringent for horses and needs further optimization.
Conclusions
- The OAE testing is a swift and easily performed method of hearing assessment in anesthetized horses, providing useful frequency-specific information about the function of the cochlear outer hair cells.
- The study concludes that OAE testing is a promising method for an audiological assessment in horses; however, the acceptance of its effectiveness in conscious or sedated animals hasn’t been established yet.
Cite This Article
APA
Mc Brearty A, Auckburally A, Pollock PJ, Penderis J.
(2012).
Evoked otoacoustic emissions: an alternative test of auditory function in horses.
Equine Vet J, 45(1), 60-65.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00542.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Hearing Tests / methods
- Hearing Tests / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / physiology
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