The　magneto　acoustic　emission　(MAE)　technique　is　an　emerging　non-destructive　testing　(NDT)　method　that　has　shown　potential　for　defect　detection　in　the　bulk　material,　proven　vital　for　the　safety　and　integrity　of　the　material.　The　MAE　technique　has　shown　promising　results　among　modern　non-destructive　testing　techniques　for　ferromagnetic　materials.　Although　MAE　technique　is　a　long-established　NDT　method,　it　has　the　potential　for　further　development.　This　paper　provides　an　in-depth　review　of　MAE　signals　＇　physical　origin　and　characteristics,　compares　them　with　their　counterpart,　Magneto　Barkhausen　Noise　(MBN),　and　explores　data　acquisition　methods　and　applications,　including　specific　case　studies　in　material　defect　detection.　The　research　gaps　in　the　MAE　technique　are　discussed,　and　the　paper　explores　potential　developments,　highlighting　future　perspectives　and　possible　improvements.