LAUSR

Postural instability is a possible symptom in children with otitis media, which often occurs in this population. The child with balance disorders usually has intolerance to sudden movements, difficulties in moving in the dark, nausea, vomiting and numerous fall events. To verify whether changes in the middle ear can influence the balance postural in children from 3 to 5 years. The sample consisted of 31 children of both sexes, aged between 3 and 5 years. To collect data, a tympanogram was used to analyze the integrity of the tympanic membrane and the Modifid Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (MCTSIB), with four different sensory conditions, to assess static postural balance. Regarding the tympanogram, it was verified that the majority of the sample showed no changes, 45.2% of which were type A and 32.3% of type C1. Regarding the type B and C2 tympanogram, it was found that 12.9% of the sample had type B tympanogram and 9.7% type C2. When comparing these values with the MCTSIB results, there were no significant differences between the tympanogram with changes (B and C2) and the tympanogram without changes (A and C1), regarding the child's balance performance. In this study, it was concluded that the alterations of the middle ear, proved through the tympanogram, did not influence the postural balance. However, it was found that the unilateral changes reported by the tympanogram, suggest higher values of postural oscillation, compared to bilateral changes.