Quantitative analysis of cochlear active mechanisms in tinnitus subjects with normal hearing sensitivity: multiparametric recording of evoked otoacoustic emissions and contralateral suppression

Overall, the present work revealed the presence of abnormal OAEs, in particular at higher frequencies, in tinnitus subjects with normal hearing sensitivity. A minor (i.e., sub-clinical) outer hair cell dysfunction, particularly in high-frequency cochlear regions, might thus be assumed in normal hearing tinnitus subjects. In order to better put in light the possible role played by outer hair cells in low-frequency cochlear regions, or by the cochlear efferent system, additional analyses would be needed.