As a part of a larger, multidimensional study on secretory otitis media (SOM) and its relation to children's development, the effects of ventilation tube (VT) placement on hearing, speech, language, cognition and behaviour were studied over a six month period. Children with a clear and persistent picture of SOM were examined just before tubes were inserted and again, with the same measures, six months later. Their evolution was compared to that of a control group. The results indicate, as was expected, that the hearing of the children with SOM normalized very quickly after surgery. Speech and expressive language functions were comparable for both groups at the two moments of examination. Only verbal comprehension of the SOM-group was found to be slightly improved in the course of a six month period. No differences in general cognitive functioning and in behaviour were found between both groups.