The authors describe the clinical application of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in the diagnosis of impaired hearing after insertion of ventilation tubes (VT) on account of secretory otitis (SOM). They evaluate otoacoustic emissions in 14 children with bilateral secretory otitis before and after insertion of VT. Of nine children under four years in two a hearing disorder of the inner ear was revealed by examination of emissions after insertion of a VT, subsequently confirmed by BERA examination and later by sound audiometry. In five children above five years comparison of examination of emissions and sound audiometry after insertion of VT revealed that otoacoustic emissions after insertion of VT in SOM are sufficient evidence or normal hearing. Examination of emissions is much shorter than examination by sound audiometry, it takes on average three minutes.

        Key words: otoacoustic emissions, ventilation of the middle ear, hearing examination.