This study used epidemiologic methods to examine hearing loss in the elderly. The Framingham Heart Study Cohort was the reference population. The participants were 935 men and 1358 women, aged 57 to 89 years. Using a conservative definition of hearing loss as threshold levels greater than 20 dB above audiometric zero for at least one frequency from 0.5 to 4 kHz, the prevalence was estimated to be 83%. The majority of cases displayed a sensorineural hearing loss. There were no statistically significant differences by sex at 1 kHz and below. Women had significantly better hearing than men at 2 kHz and above. A multivariate model was constructed to determine which variables had a significant impact upon hearing loss. Under the model, age, sex, illness, family history of hearing loss, Meniere's disease, and noise exposure were significant population risk factors. Age was by far the most critical risk factor.