PURPOSE: to analyze the absolute amplitude and response level of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in preterm and full-term newborns. METHODS: 50 full-term and 50 preterm newborns took part in the study. They underwent newborn hearing screening, through research of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, performed between 24 hours and 11 weeks of life. All newborns showed transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in the newborn hearing screening test. RESULTS: no statistically significant difference of amplitude and response level was found between the full-term and preterm newborns. There was no significant correlation among factors such as prematurity, age of newborn at test and time of hearing stimulation with the results obtained. CONCLUSION: transient evoked otoacoustic emissions recorded in full-term and preterm newborns showed similar absolute amplitude and Response level.