How We Hear

The Anatomy of the Ear

The ear is made up of three main sections

Outer Ear Sound vibrations are collected by the outer ear and are funneled through the ear canal to the eardrum. Sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate. The most common conditions associated with the outer ear are conductive hearing losses such as: Cerumen (wax) buildup or accumulation Atresia, which is a closure of the ear canal Bacteria and fungus infection Tumor, which is an abnormal growth of tissue

Middle Ear The three bones of the middle ear (the Hammer, Anvil, and Stirrup) transmit and amplify the vibrations to the oval window of the inner ear. Conductive loss generally occurs in this middle ear area. The most common conditions associated with the middle ear are also conductive hearing losses such as: Ossicular Discontinuity is when the three bones of the middle ear are abnormally connected Otosclerosis or a growth of soft, spongy bone, or foreign deposits on the middle ear bones Otitis Media or fluid buildup behind the eardrum Tumor, which is an abnormal growth of tissue

Inner Ear Fluid in the inner ear stimulates special nerve endings called hair cells, represented by the piano keys. Damage to these hair cells is a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss. The most common hearing loss conditions associated with the inner ear are known as sensorineural which include: Hair cell disease or damage to the sensory nerve cells Meniere's Disease, which is a balance disorder Noise damage due to prolonged or immediate exposure to loud sounds Ototoxic drugs which are damaging to the inner ear

The Brain Electrical impulses are sent from the hair cells along the auditory nerve to the brain. A hearing loss which occurs in the brain is deafness. The most common conditions associated with deafness are: The auditory pathways which lead to the brain from the ear-center are damaged Head trauma, tumors, strokes or genetic birth defects

Types of Hearing Loss

Click here for the signs, symptoms, and different types of hearing loss one may encounter.