Sex and ear differences in spontaneous and click-evoked otoacoustic emissions in young adults

► Support for a sexual dimorphism in OAE production in young adults. ► Female advantage in SOAE number, power, and CEOAE response amplitude. ► Similar OAE prevalence rates in men and women in the sample. ► No association between hand preference and OAE production. ► Departures from strong right-hand preference associated with reduced OAEs. Effects of sex and handedness on the production of spontaneous and click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) were explored in a non-hearing impaired population (ages 17–25 years). A sex difference in OAEs, either produced spontaneously (spontaneous OAEs or SOAEs) or in response to auditory stimuli (click-evoked OAEs or CEOAEs) has been reported in infants and children, but healthy young adults seldom have been the target of study. In the current data, a robust sexual dimorphism was confirmed, with women producing more numerous and stronger SOAEs, and CEOAEs with greater response amplitude compared to men. A right-ear advantage was found for the number of SOAEs produced and, in women, for SOAE power. Although handedness did not moderate the ear asymmetry in production, exploratory analyses revealed that departures from strong right hand preference were associated in the present sample with reduced numbers or strengths of OAEs. The results are discussed with respect to differential exposure to androgens during prenatal development.