PURPOSE: to check the use of amplitude modulated white noise as a stimulus for the auditory steady state response. METHOD: thirty neonates were evaluated with transient otoacoustic emissions and auditory steady state response, with amplitude modulate white noise, at the Clinical Hospital in the Federal University of Pernambuco. RESULTS: for the auditory steady state response, it is suggested that the cut point intensity related with normal hearing is 50 dB SPL, as it was related to the presence of transient otoacoustic emissions. CONCLUSION: the auditory steady state response, evoked with amplitude modulate white noise seems to be promissory as a tool for hearing screening. More studies need to be done in order to better establish the hearing threshold and to define more precise protocols for its employment.