Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were analyzed at 6 months of age in term infants who had perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) and those who had a low Agar score alone to detect any abnormalities in cochlear function and any difference between the two groups of infants. The f2 primary tone was presented at ten frequencies (0.5-10 kHz). Both the left and right ears were tested. Compared to normal term controls, both the infants after perinatal HI and those with a low Apgar score alone showed lower DPOAE pass rates, mainly at 1-4 kHz at which the pass rates were decreased significantly (P < 0.05-0.01). The general pattern of DPOAE pass rates at different frequencies was similar in the two groups of infants. The pass rates at 1, 5 and 6 kHz tended to be lower in the infants after perinatal HI than those with a low Apgar score alone, although not statistically significant. Conclusions At 6 months of age, infants after perinatal HI or with a low Apgar score alone had a relatively poor cochlear function, mainly at 1-4 kHz. There are no major differences between the two groups of infants.