Abstract: In a method for monitoring the condition of a mechanical seal in an apparatus provided with a rotating part, in particular in a pump which has a rotating shaft for the forwarding of a fluid, the sound emission of the seal is continually measured at discrete times in the operating state of the apparatus and at least one statistical characteristic value is won from the acoustic signals. The analog acoustic signals are converted prior to the determination of the statistical characteristic value into analog demodulated signals, the maximum frequency of which is less than about 50 kHz.