Summary

The purpose of this work was to verify the values of pressure and volume of the middle ear on the maximum point of compliance of the tympanum-ossicular system in individuals of both sex, with ages equal to and above 65 years-old, and analyse the obtained values according to the variables left and right ears, sex, and age. The measures of pressure and volume of the middle ear were assessed by the 214 tympanometries performed in the 107 adult and elder individuals living in the “Lar das Vovozinhas” and in the “Lar da Vila Itagiba”, both located in the city of Santa Maria, RS. From the study of the pressure and volume of the middle ear on the maximum point of compliance of the tympanum-ossicular system of both left and right ears, we concluded that the pressure of the middle ear varied from – 150 daPa to + 100 daPa; most of the tested ears laid 0 (zero) daPa. The mean values of the volume of the middle ear laid within the range of 0,85 ml and 0,98 ml. We also concluded that the variables left and right ears, sex, and age did not influence the obtained values of pressure and volume of the middle ear on the maximum point of compliance of the tympanum-ossicular system.