Brain stem electric response audiometry has been performed in a group of 41 difficult-to-test children under the age of 8 years. All ears were examined with the pneumatic otomicroscope prior to determination of response thresholds, and middle ear effusion found in 24 (29.3%). Seven of the 14 children requiring hearing aid amplification had fluid in 12 ears (42.9%). The importance of early recognition and treatment of middle ear pathology in children with sensori-neural hearing loss is stressed, and routine otomicroscopy by the attending otologist is recommended.