The impact of age effects on nonverbal memory for auditory or tactual patterns has been largely neglected in research studies. The effects of age on nonverbal memory were investigated by comparing subjects (N=120), divided by age decades into six groups (N=20), through tests using visual, auditory, and tactual items which were resistant to verbal labeling. Test scores for tasks in all three modalities were progressively lower with increases in age. In young groups, auditory and tactual recognition showed a slight, insignificant increase; in the older groups, the modality pattern was reversed. Results indicate that nonverbal memory through all three modalities is adversely affected by age, but the rate of impairment varies considerably with sensory modality. (Author/NRB)