This paper presents a possible diagnostic method to be applied in the grinding process using the acoustic emission signal (AE) and image analysis. The applied method of the experimental results in computer analysis using the system of tracking changes occurring within the image, as well as the experimental results obtained for single-pass internal cylindrical grinding in steel 100Cr6 described in the work. The experimental results acquired roved that the proposed method enables the detection of signs of wear on the grinding wheel active surface components, during the machining process, as well as allowing for the assessment of their influence on grinding power and workpiece surface roughness parameters. The described method of analysing the AE signal features using such a visual method complement the usual procedures used in these type of the monitoring systems. The proposed solution is far easier to implement in production conditions as it takes place on the program level of such systems and does not interfere with the equipment architecture.