Hearing

WHAT IS THE EAR?

Ear is the organ of hearing. The part of ear include

• OUTER EAR

Consists of visible portion called the auricle, or pinna, the external auditory canal (ear canal) and the inner end of which is closed by tympanic membrane, commonly called the eardrum.

• MIDDLE EAR

The middle is a narrow, air-filled cavity in the temporal bone. It is spanned by a chain of 3 tiny bones – the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup), collectively called the auditory ossicles.

• INNER EAR

The inner consists of two functional units : the vestibular apparatus consisting of the vestibule and semicircular canals, which contains the sensory organs of postural equilibrium, and the snail-shell-like cochlea, which contains the sensory organs of hearing. These sensory organs are highly specialized endings of the eighth cranial nerve, also called the vestibulocochlear nerve.

 

FUN FACTS ABOUT HEARING

ü  The ear continues to hear sounds, even while you sleep.

ü  Ears not only help you hear, but also aid in balance.

ü  The ear’s malleus, incus and stapes (otherwise known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup) are the smallest bones in the human body. All three together could fit together on a penny.

ü  Sitting in front of the speakers at a rock concert can expose you to 120 decibels, which will begin to damage hearing in only 7 1/2 minutes.