Detection of Deafness in Puppies Using a Hand- Held Otoacoustic Emission Screener

Similar documents
Technical Report: Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions That Are Not Outer Hair Cell Emissions DOI: /jaaa

A Guide to. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) for Physicians.

A Guide to. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) for Otolaryngologists.

A Review of the Effectiveness of Otoacoustic Emissions for Evaluating Hearing Status After Newborn Screening

Emissions are low-intensity sounds that may be detected in the external ear canal by a microphone

Comparison of Screening Otoacoustic Emission Devices for Pre-school Aged Children

Hearing Evaluation: Diagnostic Approach

(Otoacoustic Emissions and Automated ABR)

OAE Test System. Screener PLUS. Diagnostic PLUS. with 4 frequency DPOAE testing Protocols

(OAEs) for. Steven D. Smith, Au.D.

Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Programs, Pediatricians, Audiologists & School Nurses use AuDX Screeners

Introduction. IAPA: June 04 1

Hearing Screening, Diagnostics and Intervention

Neuro-Audio Version 2010

KANSAS GUIDELINES FOR INFANT AUDIOLOGIC ASSESSMENT

ERO SCAN. OAE Test System. Screener. Diagnostic. with 4 frequency DPOAE testing Protocols

SLHS 588A Electrophysiologic Assessment Techniques: FALL Class Meeting: Room 229-SLHS, MW 2:00 to 3:15 p.m; Lab: TBA;

(OAEs) for. Physicians. Steven D. Smith, Au.D.

Effects of Exam Procedures on Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) in Neonates

OtoAcoustic Emissions (OAE s)

inter.noise 2000 The 29th International Congress and Exhibition on Noise Control Engineering August 2000, Nice, FRANCE

GRASON-STADLER HEARING ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS

ABR PTA ASSR Multi-ASSR OAE TEOAE DPOAE SOAE VEMP ECochG MLR P300

MEASUREMENTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR AUDIOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS

FALSE POSITIVE DP GRAMS

GSI AUDIOscreener OAE AND ABR HEARING SCREENING

Thresholds of Tone Burst Auditory Brainstem Responses for Infants and Young Children with Normal Hearing in Taiwan

Application of a Stimulus Spectral Calibration Routine to Click Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions

by Maico Diagnostics

Handheld OAE-Tympanometry Combination System

Otoacoustic Emissions

Audiology 101 SOFT HIGH PITCH LOUD. How do we hear? Ear to the Brain. Main parts of the Ear

The clinical Link. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission

Improving the diagnostic power of otoacoustic emissions. Arturo Moleti Physics Department University of Roma Tor Vergata

Wheeler, K.S. M.Cl.Sc. (Aud) Candidate School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, U.W.O

BIO-LOGIC PRO NAVIGATOR TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY. RELIABLE RESULTS.

CE-Chirp. Making ABR fast, accurate and clear! Stimulus Family

Terri-Lynn Gagnon M.Cl.Sc (AUD) Candidate University of Western Ontario: School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Audiometric Techniques Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences Pediatric Audiology Specialization

Audiological Diagnosis after Newborn Screening

Otoacoustic Emissions As A Test Of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Brenda L Lonsbury-Martin PhD

The Most Outstanding Features & Benefits of Today s Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEP) Systems

OAE Test System. by Maico Diagnostics ERO SCAN. EroScan Pictured. OAE Hearing Screener DPOAE/TEOAE Test Systems.

More robust estimates for DPOAE level at audiometric frequencies

Advanced otoacoustic emission detection techniques and clinical diagnostics applications

Ear Exam and Hearing Tests

Auditory System Feedback

James W. Hall III, Ph.D.

ERO SCAN. Otoacoustic Emission Testing

Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics

ABR assesses the integrity of the peripheral auditory system and auditory brainstem pathway.

PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL AUDITORY ASSESSMENT

Comparison of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission Amplitude between Normal Hearing Male and Female Subjects

Updates to NHSP guidance for post-screening diagnostic testing Update 1: August 2015 Author: BSA Electrophysiology Special Interest Group (BSA EP SIG)

The Level Specific CE-Chirp

Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics

ECHOLAB. Screening and Clinical Modality. User Programmable Protocols. Otoacoustic Emissions System TEOAE - DPOAE - ABR - AABR

Utility of Standard DPOAEs in the Evaluation of the Normal-Hearing Tinnitus Patient

But, what about ASSR in AN?? Is it a reliable tool to estimate the auditory thresholds in those category of patients??

Outline ANATOMY OF EAR. All about Cochlear implants/why does this child not have a Cochlear Implant?

School Nurses Guide to Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)

Advanced. NEW! Four times faster DPOAE: concurrent measurement of both ears while recording two DPs simultaneously in each ear!

On the physiological location of otoacoustic emissions

Clinical applications of otoacoustic emissions in Industry. Prof. Dr. B. Vinck, MSc, PhD University of Ghent, Belgium

first described by Starr 1996 as a subgroup of patients with

Glossary For Parents. Atresia: closure of the ear canal or absence of an ear opening.

Basic Principles. The Current State of Auditory Steady-State Responses

AUDITORY STEADY STATE RESPONSE (ASSR)

5. Hospitals will provide the family with a copy of the Michigans Community Program: Information for Parents (MDCH /01). Copies can be ordered,

TEMPORARY HEARING THRESHOLD SHIFT MEASURED BY OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS IN SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO SHORT-TERM IMPULSE NOISE

The Eclipse High quality evoked potentials at your command. AEP, ASSR, & OAE testing on one dedicated platform

Role of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAES) In Detecting Early Hearing Impairment in Individuals With Normal Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)

The Eclipse Designed to meet your every need. AEP, ASSR, VEMP & OAE testing on one dedicated platform

Chapter 11: Sound, The Auditory System, and Pitch Perception

Using Electrocochleography to Assess the Afferent Pathway in the Cochlea. Senior Thesis

Can components in distortion-product otoacoustic emissions be separated?

Evoked Potenital Reading Session: BAEPs

Plural Publishing Newsletter Spring Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs): A 30-Year Perspective. James W. Hall III, Ph.D. University of Florida

World Articles of Ear, Nose and Throat Page 1

Chapter 6: Discussion and Interpretation of Results

Introduction to Audiology: Global Edition

Audiology Services. Table of Contents. Audiology Services Guidelines : Hearing services

Titan power The best just got better. Impedance, OAE, ABRIS and the revolutionary Wideband Tympanometry in one powerful device

The effect of acoustic reflex on contralateral suppression of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions

HEARING IMPAIRMENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Divisions of the Ear. Inner Ear. The inner ear consists of: Cochlea Vestibular

SOLUTIONS Homework #3. Introduction to Engineering in Medicine and Biology ECEN 1001 Due Tues. 9/30/03

Evoked Potenital Reading Session: BAEPs

Music and Hearing in the Older Population: an Audiologist's Perspective

Titan power The best just got better. Impedance, OAE, ABRIS and the revolutionary Wideband Tympanometry in one powerful device

Selected Publications on middle ear pressure and otoacoustic emission testing (Pressurized OAEs)

The Verification of ABR Response by Using the Chirp Stimulus in Moderate Sensorineural Hearing Loss

AUTOMATED AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSE INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES FOR SCREENING HEARING IN BABIES

mously with greater accuracy for mid and high frequencies, compared to the accuracy that is achieved at lower frequencies.

Swept - Tone Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions: Stimulus Calibration and Equalization

UNDERSTANDING HEARING LOSS

UNDERSTANDING HEARING LOSS

A Case Study of Progressive Auditory Neuropathy

Cochlear anatomy, function and pathology II. Professor Dave Furness Keele University

Titan power The best just got better. Impedance, OAE, ABRIS and the revolutionary Wideband Tympanometry in one powerful device.

Transcription:

ORIGINAL STUDIES Detection of Deafness in Puppies Using a Hand- Held Otoacoustic Emission Screener Michael H. Sims, PhD, Erin Plyler, AuD, Ashley Harkrider, PhD, Karen McLucas, LVMT ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a hand-held otoacoustic emissions screener to detect deafness in puppies. Specifically, distortion product otoacoustic emissions were recorded from 34 puppies (both sexes) of a variety of breeds, from 6 10 wk of age, and the results were compared to brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) recorded from the same puppies. Recordings were obtained from both ears in awake or lightly anesthetized puppies, and the results from each ear were compared. In all 62 ears that had normal BAERs, the distortion product otoacoustic emissions screener gave a response of Pass. The three puppies that had flat BAER recordings in one or both ears provided a screener result of Refer. In two ears with unusual BAERs (waveforms with reduced amplitudes and prolonged latencies) and a Refer response from the screener, there was compacted debris in one external ear canal, and the other ear canal was normal. The screener technology has proven application in human infants and is an attractive alternative to BAER testing in puppies because of expense and ease of use. (J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2017; 53:000 000. DOI 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6528) Introduction At least 48 breeds of dogs are affected by hereditary deafness; therefore, dog owners and conscientious breeders are interested in assessing the hearing status of their puppies. 1 Perspective buyers often require some evidence of normal hearing prior to purchase. The most widely accepted and recommended method for assessing hearing in dogs is the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), also called an auditory brainstem response. This procedure involves recording signal-averaged neuroelectric potentials (brain waves) from scalp electrodes in response to moderately intense, shortduration stimuli such as clicks. BAER tests provide definitive evidence of hearing loss in affected pups by 6 wk of age. However, BAER equipment is expensive, and responses may be challenging to obtain in fractious puppies, especially in test areas like veterinary hospitals with high noise levels (acoustic and/or electrical). Acoustic ambient noise and/or electrical signals produced by equipment, as well as bioelectrical signals from active muscles near recording electrodes, create significant, confounding artifacts in BAERs. Records obtained under these conditions can be difficult to interpret, leading to a recommendation by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals that BAER recording be performed by board-certified veterinary neurologists or other highly qualified professionals. An alternative screening method for detecting hearing loss in canines is otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing, initially described in human audiology literature in 1978 by David Kemp. 2 Evoked OAEs are present in 99.9% of human ears with normal hearing (20 decibels [db] hearing level [HL]) and normal middle ear function and not observed typically in ears with hearing thresholds greater than 35 db HL. 3,4 In normal ears, the auditory system emits sound From the Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine (M.H.S.), Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine (K.M.), Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, College of Health Professions, Health Science Center (E.P., A.H.), University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee. BAER (brainstem auditory evoked responses); db (decibel); DP (distortion product); DPOAE (distortion product otoacoustic emissions); HL (hearing level); NF (noise floor); OAE (otoacoustic emission); SPL (sound pressure level); TEOAE (transient-evoked otoacoustic emission) Correspondence: msims@utk.edu (M.H.S.) Q 2017 by American Animal Hospital Association JAAHA.ORG 1

energy measurable in the outer ear. These responses are not present in ears with cochlear deafness. 2 An OAE can only be recorded when the cochlear outer hair cells, middle ear, and outer ear canal are functioning normally. 3 Otoacoustic emissions are classified into two groups: spontaneous OAEs (emitted from the ear without stimulation) and evoked OAEs (recordings in response to a stimulus). Evoked OAEs have been used extensively to screen for sensory hearing loss, particularly with the advent of universal newborn hearing screenings. Evoked OAEs are obtained when acoustic stimuli are presented to the test ear via a small probe assembly placed in the external ear canal. A sensitive microphone in the probe records an acoustic response that arises from outer hair cells in the cochlea and travels in a retrograde manner through the middle ear into the external ear canal. Because stimulation and recording is accomplished through the probe, surface or needle electrodes are not necessary. Evoked OAEs are recorded reliably in normal-hearing dogs and cats and hearing health predictions are consistent with those obtained from BAERs. 5,6 Although OAEs are not confounded by electrical noise, they can be masked by external acoustic noise. Relative to BAER screening data, OAE tests are frequency-specific, non-invasive, obtained in less than 2 min per ear, easily interpretable (pass/refer), and inexpensive to perform. These attributes make OAEs a viable option for use by veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians in daily practice across multiple settings, as well as by veterinary neurologists in colleges of veterinary medicine or specialty practices. Although researchers have recently studied the feasibility of using evoked OAEs to identify hearing impairment in puppies, OAEs are still currently underutilized in veterinary medicine. 5,7 10 The two most common evoked OAEs are transient-evoked OAEs (TEOAEs) and distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs). Transient-evoked OAEs are recorded following a transient stimulus, such as a click or toneburst. The most common TEOAE technique involves a click stimulus at a moderate intensity. 3 Approximately 12 msec after the stimulus presentation into the ear canal, acoustic waveforms are generated and computer averaged. Transient-evoked OAEs are displayed and evaluated based on amplitude in db sound pressure level (SPL), percentage reproducibility at each frequency, and amplitude-to-noise ratio for each frequency. McBrearty and Pendris found that TEOAEs correctly identified all deaf ears with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 78%. 5 In accord, Rogers et al. demonstrated consistent and reliable TEOAE responses from dogs with normal hearing. 7 Distortion product OAEs were also found to be easy to measure, repeatable, and consistent with BAER findings in the same ears of clinically normal puppies. 7,8 Distortion product OAEs are recorded in response to the presentation of two simultaneous pure-tone stimuli, designated as L1 and L2. The stimulus levels presented to the ear are typically below 70 75 db SPL so as not to create technical distortion or stimulate the inner hair cells. 3,11 The test frequencies are specially selected and designated as f1 and f2. When f1 and f2 occur at a specific time interval, there is an interaction of the two pure-tone stimuli, resulting in an output of energy or distortion from the cochlea. 12 This evoked distortion undergoes reverse transduction through the middle ear and is converted into acoustic energy that is measured by the probe microphone in the ear canal. 12 The predominant DPOAE is generated at the frequency value 2f1-f2. 13 The computer analyzed results are displayed in terms of distortion product (DP) amplitude in db SPL and noise floor (NF) amplitudes as a function of f2. The expectation is that the amplitude of the physiologically evoked sound will exceed the amplitude of the NF by 8 db SPL. For both TEOAEs and DPOAEs, the recordings are compared to norms and then evaluated at each frequency as normal or abnormal. However, most screening technology incorporates automated response detection, eliminating the need for individual test interpretation. When an OAE is recorded, one can expect normal/near-normal cochlear function, which in turn supports normal/near-normal hearing. The purpose of the current study was to compare BAER and DPOAE data from the same ears in lightly anesthetized and unanesthetized puppies across several breeds to determine if the test results were consistent. If data from both procedures are in agreement, then DPOAEs should be promoted to veterinarians as a viable, quick, noninvasive, less-expensive method than BAERs for assessing hearing in puppies. Materials and Methods A total of 68 ears from 34 puppies (seven litters), including nine bull terriers and 25 Dalmatians (16 males and 18 females), were used for this study. All puppies (6 10 wk of age) were admitted for a routine hearing evaluation. Prior to testing, the puppies had health screenings, which included a brief history of previous veterinary care, an auscultation of the heart, and examination of the oral cavity. All subjects were deemed healthy for participation in the study. The contemporary standard of care was provided to each puppy, and animal use was consistent with acceptable practices as described in the American Animal Hospital Association policy statements. Written informed consent for participation was obtained from owners prior to testing. If the litters consisted of a large number of puppies or they were fractious and/or noisy, light anesthesia was used. This occurred in 29 puppies. Prior to anesthesia, lubricant a was placed into each eye. A mask was placed 2 JAAHA 53:4 Jul/Aug 2017

Detection of Deafness in Puppies compressing the foam tip, the upper portion of the pinna was grasped and gently pulled upward and backward while the foam tip was inserted into the external ear canal. Once the foam tip was fully expanded, OAE testing was initiated. The speakers within the probe assembly generated two pure-tone stimuli, L1 and L2, with L1 ¼ 65 db SPL and L2 ¼ 55 db SPL at one point per octave ranging from 2000 5000 Hz. For each tone pair, the frequency ratio (f2/f1) was 1.22 and the artifact level was 30. Measurements were obtained at each set frequency for a maximum of 12 sec. The recording device used algorithms for calculating the DP amplitudes and NF levels. Numeric results for DP, NF, and DP-NF values were recorded at each frequency. These numbers were automatically compared to criteria norms for humans with and without hearing loss, and a result of Pass, Refer, or Noisy was displayed on the screener device. 14,15 In order to receive a result of pass using a handheld screener system, the minimum absolute amplitude of the DP was 6, 5, 8, and 7 db SPL for 5,000, 4,000, 3,000, and 2,000 Hz, respectively. The DP-NF value was 6 db SPL at all frequencies, and the number of frequencies to pass a screening was three. For equivocal results, the screener displays refer (Table 1). If a puppy did not pass the DPOAE screening, the OAE probe assembly was removed, and the external ear canal was otoscopically examined. The DPOAE was then repeated. Each recording took approximately 50 sec. FIGURE 1 (A) Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) probe assembly being inserted into the external ear canal in a lightly anesthetized puppy. The compressed foam tip expands in the external ear canal to help eliminate ambient noise. (B) Distortion product OAE hand-held screener and probe assembly. OAE, otoacoustic emission. over the puppy s nose and mouth (Figure 1A). A light plane of anesthesia was induced with 4.5% Sevoflurane b and maintained with 2% or less. Oxygen only was delivered just prior to the end of the procedure to insure quick recovery, usually within 5 to 10 min. Spontaneous breathing and heart rate were monitored continuously. Because ambient noise can interfere with recordings, all testing was completed in a quiet room. The puppies were placed in sternal recumbency on a padded table. For the nonanesthetized puppies (five puppies), a veterinary technician embraced the puppy in a blanket on a padded examination table. Distortion product OAEs and BAERs were recorded from both ears. The order of recordings was randomized. DPOAEs Distortion product OAEs testing was completed using a handheld screener c. A probe assembly was fitted with a soft foam tip (13 mm) and connected to the handheld screener (Figure 1B). While Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses Brainstem auditory evoked responses were recorded on an electrodiagnostic system d. Small subdermal electrodes were placed at the vertex (positive) and just rostral to the base of each ear (reference) and over the occipital condyle (ground). At least 512 monaural clicks alternating between condensation and rarefaction (,100 lsec duration) were delivered through a cushion insert e at 90 db HL and a stimulus rate of 20/sec. The nontest ear received a continuous white noise at an intensity of 70 db. After 500 noisefree averages, the recording was saved. Two separate signalaveraged recordings were overlaid and stored for review. BAERs were examined for waveform morphology, wave amplitudes, latencies, and reproducibility of the two recordings. Each recording took approximately 1 min 30 sec. Results Brainstem auditory evoked responses and DPOAE procedures were performed successfully in all 68 ears from 34 puppies, and the conclusions from BAER and OAE testing were in agreement regardless of the age, sex, breed, or conscious state of the puppies. Based on the results of dual assessment, 29 puppies were bilaterally normal and five puppies had an abnormality in one or both ears. One puppy had flat BAERs on both sides and screener results of JAAHA.ORG 3

TABLE 1 Examples of Bilaterally-Recorded DPOAE from a Puppy with Refer (Left Ear) and Pass (Right Ear) Using a Handheld Screener with the Protocol Setting Labeled Ped High Noise C Ear/Result Frequency (Hz) dbspl DP NF DP-NF Left/refer 5000 13 19 6 4000 13 19 6 3000 9 18 6 2000 11 12 1 Right/pass 5000 25 16 41 4000 31 16 47 3000 26 7 33 2000 30 5 35 dbspl, decibel sound pressure level; DP, distortion product; NF, noise floor. refer from both ears. Two puppies had unilaterally normal BAERs and flat BAERs in the opposing ears. The screener results from these puppies were pass from the ears with normal BAERs and refer from the opposing ears with flat BAERs. Of particular interest were two puppies (numbers two and six) from the same litter, both of which had normal results in the left ears and abnormal responses in the right ears. The OAE screener gave a response of pass for both puppies from the left ears with normal BAERs but refer for both puppies on the right sides with abnormal BAERs (Figure 2). The abnormal BAERs revealed prolonged peak latencies and reduced amplitudes. In puppy number two, the peaks of waves I and V on the right side were about 0.78 msec longer than peaks I and V on the left side. However, the I V interpeak latencies were nearly identical on both sides. The peak of wave I on the left side was about five times larger than wave I on the right side. This pattern of BAER findings is consistent with a conductive hearing loss and perhaps a superimposed sensorineural loss. Visual examination of the right ear canal in puppy number two revealed debris that prevented FIGURE 2 Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) from puppies number two (left) and number six (right) from a litter of seven puppies. The otoacoustic emission screener gave a response of pass for the left ears of both puppies (top recordings) and refer for the right ears in both puppies. Brainstem auditory evoked response results confirmed the normal responses on the left sides in both puppies, and results from the right sides had prolonged peak latencies and reduced amplitudes. An examination of the right ear canals revealed debris in puppy number two that prevented viewing of the tympanic membrane, whereas the ear canal in puppy number six was clean with a normal-appearing tympanic membrane. Arrows mark the introduction of sound stimuli into the external ear canal. Roman numerals label the most prominent BAER peaks. Time and voltage calibrations are provided. BAER, brainstem auditory evoked response. 4 JAAHA 53:4 Jul/Aug 2017

Detection of Deafness in Puppies TABLE 2 Currently Available Handheld Otoacoustic Emissions Screeners Manufacturer/Equipment Screening Performed Result Format Otometrics/Accuscreen TEOAE, DPOAE Automated screener Grason Stadler/GSI Audioscreener TEOAE, DPOAE Automated screener Grason Stadler/GSI 70 DPOAE Automated screener Grason Stadler/Corti TEOAE or DPOAE Automated screener Natus Medical Inc./AuDX-Pro TEOAE, DPOAE Automated screener, diagnostic protocols Natus Medical Inc./ Echo-Screen TEOAE, DPOAE Automated screener Maico Diagnostics/ERO-SCAN TEOAE, DPOAE Automated screener, diagnostic protocols Otodynamics Ltd./Otocheck TEOAE, DPOAE Automated screener Interacoustics/OtoRead TEOAE, DPOAE Automated screener, diagnostic protocols Welch Allyn/OAE hearing screener DPOAE Automated screener DPOAE, distortion product otoacoustic emissions; OAE, otoacoustic emission; TEOAE, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. viewing the tympanic membrane. The pattern of results for puppy number six was slightly different than that from puppy number two. Brainstem auditory evoked responses findings revealed poor morphology, a latency of wave I on the right side that was 0.33 msec longer than the latency of wave I on the left side, and reduced peak amplitudes for all waves, especially wave V. The I V interpeak latencies from right and left ears were approximately 2.5 msec. This pattern of BAER findings is consistent with a sensorineural loss. Visual examination of the right ear in this puppy revealed a normal appearing tympanic membrane. Discussion The purpose of the current study was to compare BAER and DPOAE data from the same ears in lightly anesthetized and unanesthetized puppies across several breeds, to determine if the test results were consistent. As anticipated, DPOAEs in this study were in perfect agreement with the BAER results. In all but two ears, DPOAE results of refer were accompanied by flat BAERs. In the two puppies (puppies number two and six) with a refer result in their right ears, the BAERs were not flat but were not normal. This was encouraging because the additional attention given to the ears with a refer result was warranted even though the BAERs were recordable. This also supports a sensitivity threshold of the BAER that is higher than expected in a totally deaf ear. Thus, the result of refer means that hearing may be reduced due to a conduction loss, a sensorineural loss, or both. Puppies with a refer result could be referred to a regional facility for video otoscopy and BAER testing. In accord, DPOAEs reveal healthy and impaired cochlear functioning in humans. 3,11 Distortion product otoacoustic emissions can take less than 1 min and have test sensitivity of.90% and a specificity rate of.95% in healthy newborn infants. 3,16,17 Reported sensitivity measures in infants are not closer to 100%, primarily due to poor return rates for follow-up testing, progressive hearing losses, and/or conductive components (i.e., amniotic fluids) at the time of testing. There is sufficient evidence to show sensitivity rates much closer to 100% when babies are screened 3 4 days after birth compared to within the first 24 hr. 18 It is important to note that in human beings, an OAE response does not translate into audiometric data normally expected from a vocal response audiogram. A profound hearing loss could have the same OAE pattern as a moderate hearing loss (e.g., absent responses at frequencies associated with the impairment). Otoacoustic emissions have also been recorded from animals. The first DPOAEs were reported in cats, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. 19 21 Since that time, DPOAEs have been used to investigate the effects of acoustic overstimulation, hypoxia, ototoxic drugs, and endolymphic hydrops on cochlear function, as well as in the development of hearing. 21,22 27 Just as in human ears, the distortion product 2f1-f2 is the most prominent DPOAE and has been described for cats, rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, gerbils, rabbits, mice, and monkeys. 19,21,23,25,27,28 31 Results indicate that DPAOEs are recorded reliably in these species following complete basilar membrane maturation and therefore noninvasive means to monitor cochlear function. Both evoked OAEs and BAERs have been shown to be effective screeners for canine hearing. However, there are many advantages of evoked OAEs over BAERs, especially when considering clinical accessibility of hearing screening for young puppies. First, BAER preparation time is approximately 10 min, requiring the placement of small subcutaneous needle electrodes into the scalp of puppies, JAAHA.ORG 5

FIGURE 3 Recommended flow chart for hearing health examination and decision making by veterinary clinicians. and sometimes light sedation. Alternatively, evoked OAE preparation time is around 15 sec, requiring placement of a soft foam probe tip in the ear canal and can be completed easily without sedation in a cooperative puppy. Additionally, click-evoked BAERs recorded from dogs may take 10 to 15 min, with more frequencyspecific, tone-burst BAER testing taking 4 6 times longer. 8 McBrearty and Penderis found the average test time for TEOAEs and DPOAEs was 69 sec and 123 sec, respectively. 5 Thus, both types of evoked OAEs can be measured quickly, and DPOAEs, in particular, provide frequency-specific information about cochlear 6 JAAHA 53:4 Jul/Aug 2017

Detection of Deafness in Puppies function. During evoked OAE test procedures, there are fewer artifacts from muscle movement than with BAERs. These myogenic electrical artifacts often play a significant confounding role in the morphology of BAERs but do not impact OAE results. Still, the fit of the probe tip during OAE is critical, without which, the stimulus parameters will be faulty. Typically, an error message will be displayed if the probe is not inserted properly. Also, while there are only a few commercially available BAER screeners, there are multiple manufacturers of OAE screeners, allowing for flexibility based on need (Table 2). Options for commercially available, portable screeners and full-feature BAER devices have increased with recent advances in technology. However, the economy and noninvasiveness of OAE screeners have clear and distinct advantages compared to BAER equipment. Finally, based on signal processing algorithms, most OAE screening devices generate a pass or refer for the test ear based on the amplitude and/or phase of the response relative to the amplitude and/or phase of the noise in surrounding frequencies. Therefore, OAE screening devices require little to no interpretation of the results by the operator. Only the most basic BAER screeners generate pass/refer responses. Furthermore, the procedure for recording OAEs is noninvasive and responses are highly repeatable. These attributes make OAEs a viable option for use by veterinarians and technicians in daily practice across multiple settings, not just veterinary neurologists at colleges of veterinary medicine. Figure 3 displays a recommended screening hierarchy for use by veterinary professionals who might want to consider performing hearing assessments on their patients. For a response other than pass, the displayed protocol is suggested. Conclusion In the current study, we examined DPOAEs, recorded from the ear canals of awake and lightly anesthetized puppies of multiple breeds and compared these data to those of click-evoked BAERs from the same ears. Currently, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals reports that the BAER is the only accepted method for assessment of hearing loss in dogs. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions are not widely used in veterinary practices, perhaps because of a lack of exposure to this type of hearing screening technique. However, results from a large number of canine ears presented in this study are in accord with previous findings that BAER and DPOAE screening protocols reveal identical pass/refer identification regardless of the age, sex, breed, or conscious state of the puppies and demonstrate that DPOAE screenings produce identical pass/refer conclusions in a fraction of the time required for BAER screenings. 7,8 This is possible because the majority of the BAERs that do not pass are flat, and only a few present a variety of changes in wave amplitudes and latencies, requiring interpretation by experienced professionals. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions equipment is portable and inexpensive compared to BAER equipment, and DPOAE screenings do not necessarily need to be performed, or interpreted, by a board-certified veterinary neurologist, neurophysiologist, or audiologist. Although sedation, light anesthesia, or sleeping does not negatively impact DPOAE data, a cooperative awake patient will provide reliable results. In agreement with the findings cited herein, human data from extensive research over the last several decades led The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing to conclude in their 2007 position paper that screening protocols in the well-infant nursery should include either an automated BAER or evoked OAE as its initial screening measure. 32 Therefore, it seems reasonable to suggest that DPOAEs should be added as an accepted method for assessment of hearing loss in puppies. Perhaps agencies such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, 33 which makes recommendations about assessment of hearing in animals, would be willing to include DPOAE testing as a valid hearing screening procedure, thus giving dog owners and breeders more options for determining the hearing status of their pets. Specifically, because of their size and portability, significantly lower cost, faster test time, noninvasive nature, and ease of obtaining and interpreting DPOAE versus BAER data, DPOAE screeners are a viable option for use by veterinarians and licensed technicians in daily practice across multiple settings. FOOTNOTES a Lubrifresh PB; Major Pharmaceuticals, Livonia, Michigan b SevoFlo; Abbott Animal Health CE, Abbott Park, Illinois c AuDX-Pro Handheld Screener; Natus Medical, Inc., Pleasanton, California d Viking Select; Nicolet Biomedical Inc., Madison, Wisconsin e Natus OAE pediatric foam tips; Etymōtics EAR 3A, Elk Grove Village, Illinois REFERENCES 1. Strain G. Aetiology, prevalence and diagnosis of deafness in dogs and cats. Br Vet J 1996;152:17 36. 2. Kemp D. Stimulated acoustic emissions from within the human auditory system. J Acoust Soc Am 1978;64:1386 91. 3. Robinette MS, Glattke TJ. Otoacoustic Emissions: Clinical Applications. New York: Thieme Publishing Group; 1997. 4. Bonfils J, Piron JP, Uziel A, et al. A correlative study of evoked otoacoustic emission properties and audiometric thresholds. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1988;245:53 6. 5. McBrearty A, Penderis J. Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions testing for screening of sensorineural deafness in puppies. J Vet Intern Med 2011;25:1366 71. 6. McBrearty A, Penderis J. Evaluation of auditory function in a population of clinically healthy cats using evoked otoacoustic emissions. J Feline Med Surg 2011;13:919 26. JAAHA.ORG 7

7. Rogers PK, Thelin J, Sims MH. Distortion-product optoacoustic emissions in normal hearing dogs. Prog Vet Neurol 1995:6:45 9. 8. Schemera B, Blumsack JT, Cellino AF, et al. Evaluation of otoacoustic emissions in clinically alert puppies. Am J Vet Res 2011;72:295 301. 9. Sims MH, Rogers PK, Thelin J. Transiently-evoked optoacoustic emissions in dogs. Prog Vet Neurol 1994:5:49 56. 10. Sockalingam R, Filippich L, Sommerlad S, et al. Transient-evoked and 2F1-F2 distortion product oto-acoustic emissions in dogs: preliminary findings. Audiol Neurotol 1998;3:373 85. 11. Cunningham RF. Otoacoustic emissions: Beyond newborn hearing screening. Available at: http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/ otoacoustic-emissins-beyond-newborn-hearing-838. Accessed March 27, 2015. 12. Prieve B, Fitzgerald T. Otoacoustic emissions. In: Katz J, ed. Handbook of Clinical Audiology. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002:440 66. 13. Lonsbury-Martin B, Martin G. The clinical utility of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions. Ear Hear 1990;11:144 54. 14. Gorga MP, Stover L, Neely ST. The use of cumulative distributions to determine critical values and levels of confidence for clinical distortion product otoacoustic emission measurements. J Acoust Soc Am 1996;100: 968 99. 15. Gorga MP, Neely ST, Ohlrich B, et al. From laboratory to clinic: A large scale study of distortion product optoacoustic emissions in ears with normal hearing and ears with hearing loss. Ear Hear 1997;18:440 55. 16. Watkin PM. Outcomes of neonatal screening for hearing loss by otoacoustic emission. Arch Dis Child 1996;75:F158 68. 17. Lutman M, Davis A, Fortunum H, et al. Field sensitivity of targeted neonatal hearing screening by transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. Ear Hear 1997;18:265 76. 18. Hall J. Handbook of Otoacoustic Emissions. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group; 2000. 19. Kim DO, Molnar CE, Matthews JW. Cochlear mechanics: Nonlinear behavior in two-tone responses as reflected in cochlear-nerve-fiber responses and in ear-canal sound pressure. J Acoust Soc Am 1980;67: 1704 21. 20. Mountain DC. Changes in endolymphatic potential and crossed olivocochlear bundle stimulation alter cochlear mechanics. Science 1980;210:71 2. 21. Siegel JH, Kim DO, Molnar CE. Effects of altering organ of Corti on cochlear distortion products f2 - f1 and 2f1 - f2. J Neurophysiol 1980;47: 303 28. 22. Lonsbury-Martin BL, Martin GK, Probst R, et al. Acoustic distortion products in rabbit ear canal. I. Basic features and physiological vulnerability. Hear Res 1987;28:173 89. 23. Rebillard G, Lavigne-Rebillard M. Effect of reversible hypoxia on the compared time courses of endocochlear potential and 2f1-f2 distortion products. Hear Res 1992;62:142 8. 24. Anderson SD, Kemp DT. The evoked cochlear mechanical response in laboratory primates. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1979;244:47 54. 25. Horner K, Cazals Y. Distortion products in early stage experimental hydrops in the guinea pig. Hear Res 1989;43:71 80. 26. Wendover EL. Effects of Intravenous Hypertonic Urea on Distortion Product Optoacoustic Emissions in Cats [thesis]. Knoxville (TN): University of Tennessee; 1998. 27. Lenoir M, Puel JL. Development of 2f1-f2 otoacoustic emissions in the rat. Hear Res 1987;29:265 71. 28. Schmiedt RA, Adams JC. Stimulated acoustic emissions in the ear canal of the gerbil. Hear Res 1981;5:295 305. 29. Lonsbury-Martin BL, Martin GK, Probst R, et al. Acoustic distortion products in rabbit ear canal. I. Basic features and physiological vulnerability. Hear Res 1987;28:173 89. 30. Horner KC, Lenoir M, Bock GR. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in hearing impaired mutant mice. J Acoust Soc Am 1985;78: 1603 11. 31. Martin GK, Lonsbury-Martin BL, Probst R, et al. Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in a nonhuman primate: I. Basic features and relations to other emissions. Hear Res 1988;33:49 68. 32. Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. Year 2007 position statement: Principles and guidelines for early hearing detection and intervention programs. Pediatrics 2007;120:898 921. 33. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Baer Testing Protocol. Available at: http://www.ofa.org/deaf_baer.html. Accessed April 4, 2017. 8 JAAHA 53:4 Jul/Aug 2017