[The influence of aging on middle ear function (author's transl)].

Aging does not only affect the sensory-neural region of the hearing organ but as well the middle ear and its mechanic acoustic function. To determine changes in friction and elasticity of middle ear function due to growing age impedance audiometric methods were used. Alterations of middle ear impedance correlating with age and sex were proved by tympanometry, compliance measurement, reflex-activity and Eustachian tube function. The audiological results confirm morphological data of the middle ear and prove that the hearing organ may be looked at as a sensitive indicator of human physiological aging process.