Inference of physiologic processes using otoacoustic emissions

This dissertation develops noninvasive methods for inferring physiologic processes using features of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Studies demonstrate that stimulus‑frequency OAEs and medial olivocochlear (MOC)–related changes correlate with blood glucose levels, leading to a proposed mechanism linking glucose‑dependent cochlear metabolism to OAE behavior. A new prediction method, Hyperglycemic Risk Analysis, achieved strong accuracy for detecting elevated glucose. Additional experiments show that focused auditory attention increases MOC inhibition, and age‑related changes in SF OAE amplitude and latency can predict auditory decline. Together, these findings expand the clinical and diagnostic potential of OAE‑based physiologic monitoring.