This paper proposes an acoustic emissions-based method for monitoring tapered roller bearings. This method monitors tracking time-based fault indicators (i.e. RMS, peak value, ring-down count and kurtosis) obtained using the AE signal. Experiments were carried out on a dedicated test bench for different levels of tapered roller bearing outer and inner race defect severity. Although the fault indicators studied could not discriminate between outer and inner raceway defects, the experimental results highlighted the proposed indicators' tapered roller bearing fault detection and fault severity assessment ability (i.e. peak value, RMS and ring-down count).