Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in heterosexuals, homosexuals, and bisexuals.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional comparative study assessing physiological markers across self-reported sexual orientation groups.
PubMed 10212421 · doi:10.1121/1.426845
What was done
Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) across 550–9000 Hz were measured in 235 adults who passed a hearing screening test. Participants included 57 heterosexual females, 60 homosexual and bisexual females, 56 heterosexual males, 51 homosexual males, and 11 bisexual males. Sensitivity analyses evaluated emission patterns after excluding high frequencies (above 3000 Hz) and assessed the confounding effect of oral contraceptive usage.
What was found
SOAEs were significantly less numerous and weaker in homosexual and bisexual females compared with heterosexual females, placing their emissions intermediate between heterosexual females and males. Males across all groups (56 heterosexual, 51 homosexual, and 11 bisexual) showed fewer and weaker SOAEs than females, with no significant differences among male orientation subgroups. Results were unchanged when excluding emissions above 3000 Hz or accounting for oral contraceptive use. The abstract reports no exact numeric emission counts, strengths, or p-values.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that peripheral auditory structures in non-heterosexual females display masculinized characteristics, supporting hypotheses linking sexual orientation to prenatal androgen exposure.
Limits
The abstract provides no exact numerical data or effect sizes. Bisexual males had a small sample size (n = 11). The cross-sectional design relies on indirect physiological proxies rather than direct measurements of prenatal hormonal exposure.
Cited by
- supports Females produce more spontaneous otoacoustic emissions than males, a sex difference that is already present at birth.
- supports Dennis McFadden reported that lesbian women produce fewer spontaneous otoacoustic emissions than heterosexual women.