Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE)
This test is used to determine cochlear status, or the cilia hair function. Normally, the cochlea does not just receive sound, it also produces sounds called (oto-acoustic emissions) OAEs as the cilia hair cells expand and contract.
During this hearing test, no response is required from the patient. The information we gather from the OAE test can be used in one of several ways:
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- Screen hearing in newborns, infants, or developmentally disabled individuals
- Partially estimate hearing sensitivity
- Differentiate between sensory and neural components of hearing loss
- Test for functional or feigned, hearing loss
DID YOU KNOW?
There are four types of oto-acoustic emissions (OAE) that can be measured during the test:
1. Spontaneous oto-acoustic emissions, which are sounds emitted spontaneously without an acoustic stimulus
2. Transient oto-acoustic emissions, which are sounds emitted in response to acoustic stimuli of very short duration such as clicks or tone bursts
3. Distortion product oto-acoustic emissions, which are sounds emitted in response to two simultaneous tones
4. Sustained-frequency oto-acoustic emissions, which are sounds emitted in response to a continuous tone or sound.
Happy Patients:
Will health insurance cover my hearing aids? What about ear wax removal?
Insurance covers many hearing & audiology services

Most insurance typically covers the cost of earwax removal services, with the patient paying only their standard policy deductible. However, the cost of earwax removal is not as expensive as you might think – without going through insurance, the cost of a standard earwax removal is $95.00 for either one ear or two.
We proudly contract with the insurance companies listed below. Our list is constantly growing, so check back often to see if your company is included. Alternatively, you can call us for assistance with your plan’s coverage, or to see if we contract with your insurance.
ACN Connected Care
Aetna / ALL plans/ Banner
Alaska Care
Arizona Care Network (ACN)
Arizona Complete Health (AHCCCS)
Allwell Commerical / AHCCCS
Ambetter
Ameriben
American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment (AHCCCS)
Arizona Medical Network (AMN)
AZ Complete Health Care
Banner University Medicare Advantage (SNP)
Banner University LTC (AHCCCS)
Banner University Family Care (AHCCCS)
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Auth required for Banner)
Children's Rehabilitation Services (CRS)
Cigna (All Plans)
CMDP (AHCCCS)
Cofinity
Core Civic
Coventry
First Health
Fortified Provider Network (HMN)
GEHA
Gilsbar
Golden Rule
Great West Health
Health Choice (AHCCCS)
Health Choice Pathway (SNP)
Health Management Network (HMN)
Healthnet (All Plans)
Healthnet Federal Services
Health Smart
Humana (All Plans)
ICE Health Services (IHS)
Imperial Insurance
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP)
Medicare Part B
Medicare Railroad
Magellan Complete Care
Meritain
Meritus
Mercy Care Advantage (SNP)
Mercy Care Plan (AHCCCS)
Mercy Care Group Health
Mercy Care RBHA
Mercy Maricopa Integrated
Molina Care (AHCCCS)
Multiplan/RAN
Oscar Healthcare (Cigna only)
OWCP (Workers Comp.)
Refugee Medical Asst. Program (RMAP)
Southwest Services Administrators
Tricare West Region / HNFS
Triwest / VA Community Care
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
UHC AARP Medicare Complete (Auth required for Banner)
UHC Dual Complete (SNP)
UHC Community Plan (AHCCCS)
UMR
United Mine Workers Union (UMWU)
United Healthcare (Auth required for Banner)
VA Community Care
Wellcare
Washington State Labor of Industry
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