Pediatrics
Hospital based and private practice pediatricians routinely screen infants and
young children for hearing loss and middle ear disorders using otoacoustic
emissions. A pediatrician's office can benefit dramatically from having OAE
testing capability. A normal cochlea is associated with normal OAEs and normal
hearing levels. Therefore, if the OAE is absent, cochlear hearing loss and/or
middle ear pathology is likely.
Reimbursement
OAE tests can be billed under two CPT codes. The ERO•SCAN test protocol
determines which code to use.
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92587
Evoked otoacoustic emissions; limited (single stimulus level, either transient
or distortion products)
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92588
Comprehensive or diagnostic evaluation (comparison of transient and/or
distortion product otoacoustic emissions at multiple levels and frequencies)
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Based on current reimbursement rates, most professionals will find the cost of
equipment recouped in 6-12 months.
Pediatric Uses
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Follow-up infants from nursery screening and well baby checks
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Identify and monitor middle ear pathology (e.g., otitis media)
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Detect late-onset hearing loss
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Monitor ototoxicity
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Identify educationally significant hearing loss
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Obtain objective cochlear function results from both ears of toddlers
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Used in conjunction with otoscopy or tympanometry to identify middle ear
pathology
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Repeat OAEs can be used to monitor middle ear problem resolution and assess
cochlear function
ERO•SCAN's noise rejection algorithm is the most
effective on the market allowing for reliable testing in up to 70 dB SPL of
background noise.