As part of the longitudinal gerontological and geriatric population study of 70-year-olds in Göteborg, Sweden, the possible correlation between presbyacusis and extrinsic factors affecting health in elderly persons was investigated. Participants from one cohort (F 01) were studied longitudinally at ages 70, 75, 79 and 85 years, and from another cohort (F 06) at age 70 years. A weak correlation between hearing loss and smoking, alcohol abuse and head trauma was found for men and between hearing loss and intake of pharmaceutical agents (especially salicylates) for women.