How the Ear Works

The ear is an amazing organ. Yes, it’s an organ just like the heart and lungs. The ear is able to detect very small amounts of sound pressure, transfer the information from sound into electrical impulses and sends the impulses along the nerves to the brain. It is actually the brain that does the hearing.  Here is a short explanation of how the ear works.

The ear is divided into three parts, the outer ear middle ear and inner ear.  The outer ear consists of the auricle (the part of the ear on the side of the head) and the ear canal or auditory canal. The middle ear consists of the eardrum and three small bones called the maleus, incus and teh stapes. The inner ear houses the hearing nerve endings in the area called the cochlea. The balance part of the ear includes the semicircular canals.

The auricle collects sound and funnels through the ear canal down to the eardrum. Sound hits the eardrum and sets into motion which in turn sets the middle ear bones in motion. The middle ear bones set fluid in motion, which stimulates the nerve endings. Once the nerve endings are stimulated, the sound travels along the nerves to the brain.

Here is a link to a short video demonstrating how the ear works. Click here 

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
1-440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/