Effects of age and sex on static compliance.

The effects of age and sex on static compliance values were analyzed in 336 patients. Static compliance of the normal middle ear varies as a function of age and sex. In men and women, static compliance values are maximum between 31 and 40 years of age, and then decrease relatively systematically with increasing age. Under 30 years of age, static compliance values are slightly greater in female subjects. From 30 to 60 years of age, men show substantially greater static compliance measurements. Above 60 years of age, static compliance is comparable for both sexes. Comparison of normal vs otosclerotic ears showed that the age effect considerably reduces the clinical usefulness of the static compliance measure. The overall findings of this study support the concept of decreased compliance of the middle ear system with increasing age.