How the ear works

The ear is an amazing part of the human body. The process by which we hear relies on the effectiveness of many interconnected muscles, minuscule bones and delicate organs in the head.

The Ear

The ear consists of three sections. 1. the outer ear 2. the middle ear 3. the inner ear.

1.The outer ear

The outer ear collects and funnels sound waves and directs them through ear canals to the tympanic membrane.

2. The middle ear

In the middle ear you have three small bones. The Malleus, Incus and the Stapes these amplify and conduct the sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.

The middle ear cavity is filled with air. There is an open tube called the Eustachian tube which is linked to the back of the throat which helps to equalize pressure on both sides of the Tympanic membrane.

3.The inner ear

The inner ear is a fluid filled chamber divided into two parts

The inner ear consists of an organ called the Cochlea. The cochlea contains tiny hair cells which move in response to the vibarations passed from the middle ear. The movement of these hair cells generates electrical signals which are sent to the brain.

Also the vestibular labyrinth is contained within the inner ear. This portion of the inner ear controls the whole bodys balance mechanism.