On the differential diagnosis of Ménière’s disease using low-frequency acoustic biasing of the 2f1–f2 DPOAE

We have cyclically suppressed the 2f1–f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) with low-frequency tones (17–97 Hz) as a way of differentially diagnosing the endolymphatic hydrops assumed to be associated with Ménière’s syndrome. Round-window electrocochleography (ECochG) was performed in subjects with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) on the day of DPOAE testing, and from which the amplitude of the summating potential (SP) was measured, to support the diagnosis of Ménière’s syndrome based on symptoms. To summarize and compare the cyclic patterns of DPOAE modulation in these groups we have used the simplest model of DPOAE generation and modulation, by assuming that the DPOAEs were generated by a 1st-order Boltzmann nonlinearity so that the magnitude of the 2f1-f2 DPOAE resembled the 3rd derivative of the Boltzmann function. We have also assumed that the modulation of the DPOAEs by the low-frequency tones was simply due to a sinusoidal change in the operating point on the Boltzmann nonlinearity. We have found the cyclic DPOAE modulation to be different in subjects with Ménière’s syndrome (n = 16) when compared to the patterns in normal subjects (n = 16) and in other control subjects with non-Ménière’s SNHL and/or vestibular disorders (n = 13). The DPOAEs of normal and non-Ménière’s ears were suppressed more during negative ear canal pressure than during positive ear canal pressure. By contrast, DPOAE modulation in Ménière’s ears with abnormal ECochG was greatest during positive ear canal pressures. This test may provide a tool for diagnosing Ménière’s in the early stages, and might be used to investigate the pathological mechanism underlying the hearing symptoms of this syndrome.

► In this study we use low-frequency tones to modulate DPOAE amplitude.
► We measured DPOAE modulation in Normal, Ménière’s Disease, and Non-Ménière’s ears.
► DPOAE modulation patterns were abnormal in Ménière’s ears.
► Results suggest that basilar membrane vibration is abnormal in Ménière’s ears.
► Results may demonstrate abnormal function of outer hair cells in Ménière’s.