Hearing loss measured by pure-tone audiometry is described for the better ear, using the median with 95% confidence limits, in seven sound frequencies in a random sample of older people (215 men and 272 women). Both sexes showed increases in hearing loss in each frequency with increasing age. Hearing loss was greater in women at frequencies of 1000 c.p.s. or less and in men at frequencies of 2000 c.p.s. and above. The difference in hearing loss between higher and lower frequencies was greater in men than in women and greater in older compared with younger persons.