Real-Ear Check; Testing Adults Or Older Children; Testing Infants; Test Environment And Noise Sources - Interacoustics OtoRead Instructions For Use Manual

3.8.2

Real-Ear Check

This test can be done by placing the probe in one's own ear and running a commonly used test protocol.
If OAE results do not match the tester's expected OAE result, this could be an indication that:
The probe is not connected correctly to the device.
•
• The ear tip is not attached correctly to the probe tube.
There is wax or debris in the probe tube and it needs to be replaced.
•
• The environment is too noisy for testing.
The probe was not placed correctly in the ear canal.
•
The probe's calibration needs to be checked.
•
If results from the real-ear test do not match the expected result after
checking items 1 to 5 above, the probe should not be used to test on
patients. Contact your local service technician for assistance.
3.9 Preparing the patient for testing
Otoscopic examination of the patient's ear canals should be performed prior to testing. Excessive cerumen
or vernix in the ear canals may interfere with the test and give invalid or incomplete results. Patients with
excessive cerumen, debris, or foreign bodies in the ear canals should be referred to an audiologist or
physician for removal of the blockage prior to testing.
3.9.1

Testing adults or older children

Place the patient in a position that will allow easy access to the ear canal. Use the shirt clip on the Micro-
Probe cable to secure the probe to clothing or bedding. The patient should remain still and quiet while the
test is being performed.
Pull gently up and back on the outer ear during probe insertion to straighten the ear canal and esure a good
probe fit.
3.9.2

Testing infants

When testing infants. They should be relatively quiet and calm. It is usually preferred for the infant to be
asleep. A pacifier may be used during testing to calm the infant, however, sucking will add noise to the test
and increase the likelihood of a refer.
Pull gently down and back on the outer ear to straighten the ear canal while gently placing the probe into the
ear canal.
3.9.3

Test environment and noise sources

Otoacoustic emissions are very low-level sounds. Any noise in the ear canal at the time of testing can mask
this emission. This noise can come from a variety of sources.
The largest source of noise usually comes from the patient. This is biological noise, such as movement,
coughing, sucking, crying, talking, etc. The patient must be calm and not move or talk. Ambient noise in the
testing environment can also be a large source of noise during the test. A properly sealed eartip can block
out a large amount of this noise, but performing the testing in a relatively quiet environment is recommended.
When the noise level exceeds the noise rejection limit of the instrument, the red NOISE light will appear. It is
common for the NOISE light to appear while testing. The light will appear infrequently if the noise level in the
ear canal is low, and it will appear more often if the noise level in the ear canal is high.
For TEOAE protocols, the test will pause when noise levels exceed the noise rejection limit. Pause is
indicated when the Noise, Test and Ready lights turn on simultaneously. Testing will automatically
resume when noise levels decrease. Total pause time will not exceed 30 seconds.
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OtoRead™ - Instructions for Use - US Page 24