A simple analytical method that allows direct monitoring of small amount of CO$_2$ in a CO$_2$ discharge tube which utilizes the optoacoustic detection technique is described. The dependence of the optoacoustic signal on the mole fraction of CO$_2$ was shown that the system responded linearly to the amount of CO$_2$ present in the miniature discharge cavity equipped with Cu electrodes. It was also found that fraction of dissociated CO$_2$ varied from 14 to 37% of the initial concentration which depended on the current and the pressure in the tube. This simple and easy detection method has proven to possess the practical advantages over the conventional systems for the study of CO$_2$ laser electrodes.