How often should OAE testing be done to monitor for ototoxicity, and when should you stop testing?
Basically, OAE monitoring should be performed at the same time intervals as for other ototoxicity monitoring protocols. For aminoglycosides that is generally once or preferably twice a week. For cisplatin it is generally just before each round of chemotherapy. Naturally a baseline evaluation is essential for all testing as tests must be interpreted relative to baseline. Because cisplatin and aminoglycosides may cause delayed or progressive hearing loss, a follow-up test should be performed 4-6 months after drug discontinuation. If it can be arranged at monthly intervals during that time period, that would be optimal. TOAES, DPOAEs, and high frequency audiometry all have been demonstrated to show ototoxic changes prior to changes in the conventional pure-tone frequency test range of 8000 Hz and below. Currently high frequency audiometry is the “Gold Standard” because we have well established and published criteria for significant change that have been demonstrated to have excellent spec
