An infant being evaluated for otoacoustic emissions with the GSI Corti

OAE

An otoacoustic emissions (OAE) device is a vital tool for ENTs, audiologists and other hearing health professionals. These instruments range from fully clinical and diagnostic to screening and handheld or portable options. There are also combination devices that have more than one modality. A clinical OAE device will be the most versatile device and include with a number of test types such as DPOAE, TEOAE, Spontaneous OAE, I/O function, and microfine points per octave to assist with diagnosis and verification of outer hair cell function. Screening OAEs include predefined protocols that provide a pass or refer result with either DPOAE, TEOAE, or both.

CURRENT GSI OAE DEVICES

  • Corti OAE Screener from Grason-Stadler

    Corti
  • Audera Pro Clinical Evoked Potentials and OAE system from Grason-Stadler

    Audera Pro
  • Novus AABR newborn hearing screener from Grason-Stadler

    Novus
An oae test being performed on an infant

CORTI | DPOAE/TEOAE DEVICE

The GSI Corti™ is a portable, battery-operated diagnostic and screening device that measures OAEs for infants, children, and adults. The Corti offers maximum speed and flexibility with pre-defined and user-defined protocols for Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) measurements. Screening can be completed in seconds - saving valuable time, increasing accuracy, and reducing the risk of a newborn waking during screening. The Corti provides six different configuration options that meet the needs for virtually all clinic environments: three options for screening and three options for diagnostic testing. Screening options include DP, TE, or DP plus TE screening. Diagnostic configurations include DP, TE, or DP plus TE diagnostics.

 

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A clinician testing a patient with the Audera Pro

AUDERA PRO | CLINICAL EP/OAE

The GSI Audera Pro™ is GSI’s clinical comprehensive EP system. The Audera Pro offers a full range of features, including a complete battery of test types covering evoked potentials (EP) and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). The Audera Pro includes all the features and updates needed to support the needs of the modern audiology clinic or ENT practice. The Audera Pro provides user friendly software and generates quick and efficient quality data. The training resources provided by GSI and its distributors establish an immediate level of testing confidence in clinicians. Reporting is clear and concise, allowing test results to be easily organized, combined, and interpreted. Evoked potentials test types that are included on the system are ECochG, ABR, MLR, LLR, SN10, P300/MMN, ASSR, and eABR. Optional modality licenses may be purchased, allowing you to perform a combination of different tests: AEP, ASSR, DPOAE, and TEOAE.

 

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An infant being tested with the GSI Novus AABR screener

NOVUS | NEWBORN AABR SCREENER

The GSI Novus™ is a sleek, handheld, comprehensive newborn hearing screening instrument. The Novus features a touch screen display and intuitive software in a compact hardware design. The Novus may be configured with any combination of AABR, TEOAE, and DPOAE, which allows for seamless two stage infant screening. The Novus offers two methods for simultaneous testing of AABR by using IP30 insert phones with ear tips or ear cups. Testing both ears at the same time offers significant time saving benefits. A wireless charging dock is included with the Novus. Screening tests can be completed any time the battery is low, as long as the device is placed on the dock. A fully charged Novus can perform approximately 50 ABR or 150 OAE screening evaluations.

 

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OAE BASICS

Find more educational materials about OAEs by visiting GSI ADVANCE.

WHAT IS AN OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS TEST?

An OAE test assesses the function of outer hair cells in the cochlea. It requires no active participation from the patient. An OAE machine analyzes the outer hair cell function by sending a sound into the ear. When a sound is sent into a normal functioning ear system, the outer hair cells will generate sounds (otoacoustic emissions) that can be measured by a sensitive microphone placed in the ear canal. If returning sounds are not detected by the device, the patient needs to have additional hearing testing to verify hearing status.

HOW ARE OAE TESTS PERFORMED?

An OAE hearing test machine is used to measure outer hair cell function. To conduct an OAE hearing test, a small probe that generates a calibrated stimulus is placed into the ear canal. The stimulus is sent into the ear canal and the OAE response is measured through a very sensitive microphone in the same probe. The device screen displays the result as either “pass” or “refer.” Refer indicates that additional testing is needed to verify hearing status.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC OAE TESTING?

Screening OAE testing is a basic evaluation that provides an automated result and is typically performed by technicians or medical assistants. No interpretation is required as the equipment uses sophisticated algorithms to assign a pass or refer result. Screening OAE testing is used in universal newborn hearing screening programs and for pre-school and school hearing screenings. Diagnostic OAE testing is a more comprehensive evaluation of outer hair cells that is used in conjunction with other tests designed to diagnose hearing loss, like audiometry and tympanometry. Diagnostic OAE tests are performed by licensed hearing healthcare professionals such as audiologists and require knowledge of the auditory system to interpret the test results.

OAE DEVICE COMPARISON CHART


FEATURE AUDERA PRO CORTI NOVUS
Dimensions 12 in x 15 in x 3 in
 2.8 in x 1.3 in x 7 in
 3.3 in x 6.2 in x 0.8 in
Weight 4.4 lbs.
 0.4 lbs.
 0.6 lbs.
Handheld
✔
 ✔
Device Type Clinical
 Diagnostic/Screening
 Screening
DPOAE ✔
 Per License
 Per License
TEOAE ✔
 Per License
 Per License
TEOAE Stimulus Type Click Click Click
DPOAE Levels 0 - 80 dB SPL
 40 - 70 dB SPL 65/55 dB SPL
TEOAE Stimulus Range 250 – 5000 Hz
 700 - 4000 Hz  1000 – 4000 Hz
DPOAE Stimulus Range 500 –12000 Hz
 1500 –12000 Hz  1500 –6000 Hz
Configurable Protocols ✔
 ✔
  
Memory Unlimited, PC-Based
 500 Tests on Unit
 500 Tests on Unit
Power AC-Power
  Battery, 20 hours  Battery, 150 OAE Screens
 Evoked Potentials Capabilities ✔
 Screening Only
GSI Suite Compatible
✔
  
Other Data Management Audera Pro Database
 Corti Data Manager, HearSIM HearSIM
IDEAL ENVIRONMENT AUDERA PRO CORTI NOVUS
Private Practice ✔
 ✔
  
ENT ✔
 ✔
Hospital ✔
 ✔
 ✔
University ✔
 ✔
 Newborn Screening Program   ✔
 ✔
Schools   ✔
  
Veterans Affairs ✔
 ✔