Abstract
Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAE) are sounds that originate from the cochlea and escape the ear. Computer simulation predicts that, given the typical sound pressure level of SOAE measured in the ear canal, the vibration on the basilar membrane should be in the audible range. The aim of this study is to find out whether humans can hear this vibration in quiet. Sixty-three subjects were recruited and synchronized SOAE (SSOAE) were found in 50 ears. These subjects were instructed to spend extra time quietly while paying attention to “sounds in the ear” (SinE). Next, each subject listened to five randomized tones, and was forced to select the one that sounded closest to the SinE. The frequencies of the tones are 88%, 94%, 100%, 106%, and 112% times the frequency of the largest peak in the SSOAE spectrum, respectively. If a subject has SSOAE in both ears, the procedure was repeated for the two ears. Results show that the five choices received 11, 12, 8, 9, and 10 votes, respectively, so none of them was significantly higher than by chance. Hence, the present study falls short of supporting the theoretical prediction that SOAE is audible to the ear that emits it.