Presbycusis is a progressive sensorineural hearing loss varying with age and affecting first the higher frequencies. The physical and social handicap is not fully appreciated by most people with normal hearing. Difficulties in diagnosis exist because of co-existing sensorineural hearing loss in older people. Audiometry provides an excellent means of analyzing the auditory system and is generally accurate in localizing a site of dysfunction. Many people with presbycusis are helped by hearing aids but all of them are helped by good enunciation. There are many factors considered in the etiology but so far there is no convincing means of preventing presbycusis.