Background- Deafness and hearing impairment are major causes of disability in developing countries. In Nigeria the magnitude of the problem of hearing impairment is enormous. Aims and objectives- The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of hearing loss, the types of hearing loss and the clinical profile of patients presenting with hearing loss, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. Methodology- This study was a 12-month prospective clinical and audiological, hospital based study. Patients who presented with hearing loss at the Ear. Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, between September 2004 and August 2005 were recruited into the study. Pure tone air conduction thresholds of these patients were measured for the frequencies 250Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz and 8000Hz. Bone conduction thresholds were measured at 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4,000Hz. Results- There were 257 patients, aged between 10years and 100 years in this study. There were 139 males and 118 females. Eighty- 2 two patients had unilateral hearing loss while 175 patients had bilateral hearing loss; giving a total of 432 ears with hearing loss that were studied. The main causes of hearing loss were ototoxicity (15.7%), chronic suppurative otitis media (14.9%), presbyacusis (13.2%), wax impaction (8.9%) and rhinosinusitis (7.4%). In 10.6% of cases, the cause of the hearing loss was unknown. Multiple aetiological factors were identified for some ears. Different pure tone thresholds and types of hearing loss were encountered in this study, depending on the aetiological factor responsible for the hearing loss. Tinnitus was the commonest symptom that was complained of by patients with hearing loss. Hypertension was the commonest co-morbid medical condition associated with hearing loss in this study. The mean duration of hearing loss before presentation at ENT clinic was 5.1years  9.2SD in the right ear and 5.4years  9.5SD in the left ear. Conclusion: The pattern of hearing loss as seen in UBTH, Benin City, is not significantly different from that obtained in other parts of Nigeria. The need for prophylactic measures to be put in place to prevent these aetiological factors, the provision of modern facilities for early detection, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with hearing loss were highlighted. 3 Keywords- Hearing loss, Benin City, Ototoxicity, Chronic suppurative otitis media, Presbyacusis, Pattern