The normalized cross‐correlation function between the amplitude and frequency fluctuations of 11 spontaneous otoacoustic emissions was measured. A significant correlation was found in seven subjects. The correlation coefficient ranged from −0.37 to +0.65 across subjects. In four subjects, the amplitude fluctuation lagged the frequency fluctuation. The time lag was between 1.6 and 5.5 ms. The results were interpreted using a noise‐perturbed limit‐cycle oscillator with nonlinear (Duffing) stiffness as a model for a spontaneous emission. The data show that the relative increase of the nonlinear stiffness in this model was between −0.010 and +0.015. This indicates that an even‐order nonlinear stiffness plays a minor role in the emission generator.