Click-evoked otoacoustic emissions were recorded in 28 patients with surgically proven acoustic neuromas and 22 patients with brain stem pathologic disorders. Data collected in acoustic tumor ears were compared with those obtained in 30 nontumor ears demonstrating sensorineural hearing losses. Acoustic emissions were altered (increased detection-threshold or no detectable emissions) in all ears with eighth nerve tumors and were not affected in those with brain stem pathologic conditions that do not involve cochlear function. The properties of acoustic emissions were similar in both tumor and nontumor ears with hearing loss, which suggests that acoustic tumors usually produce a cochlear hearing loss.