Better Understanding of Hearing

The ear is a complex part of the body that allows human beings to identify energy waves as meaningful sounds. It consists of three primary parts: the outer, inner and middle ear. Protection of all parts of the ear is important, as it helps prevent hearing loss.

The Outer Ear

• The outer ear is the part that can be seen outside a person's head. The oval-shaped, fleshy apparatus collects sounds that can then travel to the other parts of the ear, located inside the head.

The Middle Ear

• Between the outer and the middle ear are the auditory canal and the ear drum. The auditory canal allows sound to travel to the ear drum, which vibrates at different frequencies depending upon the type of sound. Once the sound reaches the drum, three tiny bones in the middle ear, known as the ossicles, help carry it to the inner ear.

The Inner Ear

• Inside the inner ear are where the cochlea and auditory nerve are located. Once sound is transferred to the cochlea, it vibrates back and forth, giving a signal to the auditory nerve, which interprets the vibrations as sound.