Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "OAE" is rather simple when you break it down phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The initial letter "O" is pronounced as the diphthong /oʊ/, which is similar to the sound in the word "goat." The following two letters, "A" and "E," together make the vowel sound /eɪ/, which is similar to the sound in the word "maze." Therefore, the phonetic transcription of "OAE" is /oʊeɪ/.
OAE, abbreviated for Otoacoustic Emissions, refers to sounds that are generated by the inner ear in response to acoustic stimuli. It is a phenomenon that occurs when the hair cells in the cochlea vibrate and produce sounds that can be detected by a microphone placed within the ear canal. OAEs are typically measured as part of a hearing assessment and serve as an objective indicator of the health and functionality of the auditory system.
Otoacoustic emissions are categorized into two types: spontaneous and evoked. Spontaneous OAEs occur without any external stimulation and are primarily used in research settings to study the natural functioning of the inner ear. On the other hand, evoked OAEs are elicited by presenting specific acoustic stimuli, such as clicks or tones, to the ear. These responses provide valuable information about the integrity of the outer hair cells and their ability to generate sound.
OAE testing has become a routine procedure in newborn hearing screening programs as it helps identify potential hearing impairments in infants. It also assists audiologists in diagnosing hearing loss, especially in cases where individuals may not be able to provide reliable behavioral responses, such as young children or individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities.
In summary, OAEs are sounds produced by the inner ear in response to acoustic stimulation and are measured to assess the functionality of the auditory system for various diagnostic purposes.
