[Presbycusis (author's transl)].

This study is base on 438 patients (age 45-99), 250 women and 188 men, divided into decades from 45 to 95 years. Mean hearing levels were measured at 63 up to 12000 Hz using the atlas pure-tone audiometer. Statistical analyses helped estimating the influence of various anamnestic datas on sensorineural hearing loss. 65 patients with diabetes had no hearing loss related to their disease. In 115 noise-exposed patients 'correction for noise' was 5 to 7 dB at 2000 and 4000 Hz. There was no difference in men and women at any frequency and any age group. 'Average presbycusis' in the literature today is too positive. Starting age 20, a linear progressive hearing loss for all frequencies ranging from 6 to 18 dB per decade can be detected, being less for the lower than for the higher frequencies.