Parts of the Ear

The ear plays an influential part in the sensory system. This organ is a key portion of the auditory system, which translates sound waves into a signal that
the brain can interpret. In addition to helping the body take in auditory messages, the ear helps to maintain a proper head position. The fluid in the ear also
helps the body maintain a sense of balance so the body can maintain proper posture and coordination. There are three major portions of the ear, the outer,
middle and inner ear. Each contains several parts that are essential to the overall function of the ear.
Outer Ear
Description and
The outer ear is the portion of the ear that sits atop the skull, which is made of flesh and cartilage.
Function
It is the visible part which serves to protect the eardrum. It also collects and guides sound waves into the middle ear.
Compositional
Pinna (ear flap)
parts and their
The ear flap or pinna is the outer portion of the ear. This is the physical portion of the ear that you see on the side of your head, which
functions
is used like a satellite dish to collect sound and transmit it inward where it can be translated into the appropriate medium.
Meatus (ear canal)
This is the ear canal, which extends inward from the outer ear. This 2 cm canal helps to amplify sound as it enters the middle ear so it
can be interpreted properly. This area also contains cells which produce ear wax, which helps keep debris out of the middle ear.
Middle Ear
Description and
Function
Compositional
parts and their
functions

Inner Ear (Labyrinth)

Description and
Function
Compositional
parts and their
functions

The middle ear contains tissue and bone but no skin, and is the area where sound is translated into mechanical energy so it can pass
through the body. Most diseases such as ear infections will take hold in the middle ear, though some can also affect the inner ear.
It translates sound waves from the outer ear into the form of pressure waves.
Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)
The eardrum, known scientifically as the tympanic membrane Is a thin piece of tissue that is stretched between the outer and middle
ear. It is called the drum because sound waves will hit it and cause it to vibrate, which will take the sound from acting as wave energy
and translate it to mechanical energy that can travel through the rest of the ear.
Malleus (Hammer)
The malleus or hammer of the ear is one of the smallest bones in the body. It is connected to the ear drum, and will vibrate as the
drum is hit by the sound waves, passing the sound on to the rest of the ear.
Incus (Anvil)
The anvil bone or the incus sits on top of the hammer, and will collect the vibrations coming from the ear drum, sending them on to
the stirrup.
Stapes (Stirrup)
The stirrup or stapes sits below the anvil, and is the final bone in the inner ear to collect and pass on sound. These sound waves will
cause the stirrup to compress, compressing the waves so they can be passed on to the inner ear.
The inner ear is the portion of the ear which is responsible for translating the message and sending it to the brain where it can be
interpreted. It is filled with fluid that helps to balance the ear organs and comprise the hearing so it can be passed to the nerves.
Cochlea
This is a spiral tube that is covered in a stiff membrane. This membrane is filled with nerve cells, commonly known as ear hairs. These
hairs are each designed to pick up on a different type of vibration, which hits in different frequencies. As the nerves begin to
vibrate they will turn these frequencies into an electrical pulse which will be sent up to the brain. If the ear is exposed to sound that is
too high pitched or too loud, these hair-like nerves can break off, and they will not grow back. This is one of the biggest contributors to

hearing loss.
Auditory Nerve
These nerves receive the electrical impulses generated by the ear and pass this information up to the brain so it can be interpreted.
Semicircular Canals
These are attached to the cochlea, but do not spend much time interacting with the hearing portion of ear function. Instead, these
fluid filled tubes will turn and sway with movement, helping you keep your balance.

The Ear Consists of three parts:

Outer Ear: The part you can see plus the ear canal leading down to the eardrum.
Middle Ear: The eardrum and ear bones (ossicles), plus the air spaces behind the eardrum and in the mastoid cavities (vulnerable to air pressure).
Inner Ear: The area that contains nerve endings for the organs of hearing and balance (equilibrium).
Some of the most common ear disorders include:
Otitis MediaThe medical term for a middle ear infection or inflammation of the middle ear. This primarily affects children due to the shape of the young
eustachian tube.
TinnitusAlso called ringing in the ears includes noises ranging from loud roaring to clicking, humming or buzzing. Most tinnitus comes from damage to
the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Hearing nerve impairment and tinnitus can be a natural accompaniment of advancing age.
Exposure to loud noise is probably the leading cause of tinnitus damage to hearing in younger people.
External Ear InfectionsAlso called Swimmers Ear are infections of the outer ear structures that may occur when water gets trapped in the ear canal. In
this warm, moist environment, bacteria multiply causing irritation and infection of the ear canal.
Ear Wax (Cerumen)Cerumen is produced by special glands in the outer part of the ear canal designed to trap dust and dirt particles keeping them from
the eardrum. Usually wax accumulates, dries and then falls out of the ear on its own or is wiped away. Other times this may require removal by a physician.
Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED)is an inflammatory condition of the inner ear that occurs when the bodys immune system attacks cells in the inner
ear that are mistaken for a virus or bacteria.
Cholesteatomais a skin growth that occurs in the middle ear behind the ear drum. This condition usually results from poor eustachian tube function
concurrent with middle ear infection (otitis media), but also can be present at birth.
Perforated Eardrumoccur when there is a hole or rupture in the eardrum, which is the thin membrane that separates the ear canal and the middle ear.
Sometimes a perforated eardrum will heal spontaneously, other times surgery to repair the hole is necessary.

Cleaning your ears

Clean your ears with extra care. Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth or tissue. Do not put anything into your ear smaller than your elbow. Do not use Qtips, bobby pins or sharp pointed objects to clean your ears. These objects may injure the ear canal or eardrum.
Earwax is the ear's mechanism for self cleaning. If you have a build-up of wax that is blocking your hearing, see your doctor to have it removed.
If you experience itching or pain in your ears, consult with your primary care physician to determine the appropriate treatment and to determine if you
need to see a specialist.

If you have pierced ears, clean your earrings and earlobes regularly with rubbing alcohol.
Illness and Medications
Reduce the risk of ear infections by treating upper respiratory (ears, nose, throat) infections promptly.
Some illnesses and medical conditions can affect your hearing. If you experience sudden hearing loss or have constant noise in your ears or head, see an
ear doctor promptly.
Drainage from the ear is not normal and usually suggests infection. See your doctor as soon as possible.
Some medications can affect hearing. Take medications only as directed, and consult your doctor if you experience unusual hearing, balance problems, or
ringing in the ears.
Noise
At home or work, wear hearing protection during exposure to loud levels of noise. This includes mowing the lawn, leaf blowing or using power tools. By law,
a noisy work environment requires use of hearing protection. Hunting shops and some garden centers carry ear-protecting headgear.
Ear buds, such as those that come with an IPOD or MP3 player, do not protect your hearing. Also, listening to music while using power tools is dangerous to
your hearing and should be avoided.
When using stereos and home theater systems, avoid high volume levels. If you think it is too loud, it probably is.
When using personal sound systems, the volume should be at a comfortable level. If someone else can hear what you are listening to, the volume is too
high. Remove the headphones from time to time to give your ears a rest.
Wear earplugs at rock concerts, nightclubs and motor sporting events.
Keep automobile sound systems at sensible volumes. This can help you avoid hearing damage and allow you to hear and yield to emergency vehicles.
Safety Issues
Always wear a helmet when you bike, ski, and roller blade or in any other activity that puts you at risk for head and ear injuries.
If you scuba dive, learn and practice proper underwater techniques to avoid potentially damaging changes in pressure inside your ears.
When flying in an airplane, swallow and yawn frequently when the plane is ascending and descending to equalize pressure in your ears. If you have an
upper respiratory problem such as a cold or sinus infection, take a decongestant a few hours before descending, or use a decongestant spray just prior to
descent and on landing.
Earplugs with special filters can be purchased to help equalize air pressure in ears during air travel.
General Care
Have your ears checked regularly by your primary care physician. Have your hearing checked by an audiologist if you or anyone else questions whether
your hearing is normal. Consult an ear physician as necessary.
When outdoors in sunny weather, remember to use a sunscreen on your ears.
If you notice unusual bumps or scaly areas on the exterior ear, consult your physician.
Know the warning signs of hearing loss:
Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise
Frequently asking others to repeat what they have said
Misunderstanding what other people say and answering inappropriately
Difficulty hearing on the telephone
Requiring the television or radio volume to be louder than others in the room prefer
Feeling that people are mumbling or have marbles in their mouth when they talk
Difficulty hearing environmental sounds, such as birds chirping
Agreeing, nodding your head, or smiling during conversations when you are not sure what has been said
Withdrawing from conversations and social situations because it is too difficult to hear
Reading lips so you can try to follow what people are saying
Straining to hear or keep up with conversations

Noise within your ears or head, called tinnitus, which is not caused by an external sound source
See an ear doctor immediately if you injure your ears, experience ear pain, or notice changes in your ears or hearing.