Chi ldren need good hearing for adequate learning. Hearing screening in students is important because it allows cases that go unnoticed by the family may be detected. Aim:To evaluate hearing in children aged 4-15 years -public school students from pre-first to the fifth grade in the city of Cabedelo, Paraíba state. Material and Methods:A prospective study of 98 students referred by teachers of 18 public schools in Cabedelo, from June 2007 to June 2010. Students were examined by an otolaryngologist and underwent audiometric testing.Results: Eighteen schools were enrolled in this study. The student's age ranged from 4 to 15 years; 62% were male and 38% were female. Otolaryngological tests were normal in 85% of cases, and abnormal in 15% of cases. The most frequent findings were ear wax and tympanic membrane retraction. Audiometry demonstrated normal hearing in 66% of children and impaired hearing in 34%. Conclusion:Hearing Screening in school children is an important method for diagnosing hearing loss, especially in low-income populations.ORIGINAL ARTICLE Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(6):716-20. BJORL