OBJECTIVE: To describe the research results of otoacoustic emissions (OEA) in children with a history of admission to neonatal ICU. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed the protocols of screening of children between one month and six years old, a private clinic from 2002 to 2009. Interview was conducted and research of transient OAE, using Ecocheck and Otoport Lite equipment. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 1259 protocols, and 656 (52.1%) boys and 603 (47.9) girls. All mothers reported receiving prenatal care. It was found that 193 (15.3%) children were admitted to neonatal ICU for a mean period of 21.93 days (minimum - one day, maximum 90 days). The analysis showed that of 193 (100%) children, 176 (91.2%) were present OEA, 3 (1.5%) OEA absent in the right ear, 4 (2.1%) OEA missing ear left and 10 (5.2%) with EOA absence of both ears. CONCLUSION: It was found that in the group studied; most of the children (91.2%) presented EOA bilaterally. It is hypothesized that the profile of mothers and children served has influenced the results, and suggested further studies to be verified the relationship between the results of the EOA and the socio-economic and cultural.