To provide a sound-absorbing material which has good flame retardancy and heat resistance, is thin and lightweight, and is excellent in a sound-absorbing performance; and to provide a sound-absorbing composite material.

There is provided the sound-absorbing material which comprises aromatic polyamide nanofibers each having a diameter of 10-500 nm on a cross section orthogonal to the axis of the fiber and has a sound-absorbing rate of ≥60% at a frequency of 4,000 Hz. And there is provided the sound-absorbing composite material which is produced by laminating one or more layers comprising aromatic polyamide nanofibers each having a diameter of 10-500 nm on a cross section orthogonal to the axis of the fiber, to one or more fiber structure layers comprising fibers each having a diameter of 0.5-100 μm on a cross section orthogonal to the axis of the fiber, and has a sound-absorbing rate of ≥60% at a frequency of 4,000 Hz.