The hearing system is quite complex. However, it can be broken down into 3 main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. In each section, there are structures that play a role in allowing us to hear in our daily environments.
Outer Ear
The Outer Ear is comprised of the pinna, the ear canal and the eardrum. The pinna is the visible part of the ear. It is designed to direct sound into the ear canal. When the sound reaches the end of the ear canal, it causes the eardrum to vibrate back and forth. This transfers the sound through to the next stage: the Middle Ear.
Middle Ear
The Middle Ear is an air-filled space that is kept at equal pressure with the outside environment. It does this via the Eustachian tube that is connected to the back of the nose. The Middle Ear contains three tiny bones (hammer/malleus, anvil/incus and stirrup/stapes) that vibrate along with the eardrum and continue to transfer the sound signal towards the Inner Ear.
Inner Ear
The Inner Ear is where the sound waves are first analyzed. There are many tiny cells in the inner ear, specifically in the cochlea, which are activated by specific sounds. These cells send messages to the brain through the hearing nerve, after which the brain interprets the sound signal.
Three Steps to Better Hearing
All three parts of the ear are important and play a role in proper hearing. The hearing experts at Echo Audiology, your Orleans hearing clinic, can examine your ears to determine if you have hearing loss. Solutions will be recommended to you by an audiologist to remedy any hearing loss you may have.
If you are currently experiencing hearing loss:
1) Contact the experts at Echo Audiology, your Orleans hearing clinic, today to schedule an examination
2) Attend the appointment
3) Discuss and implement the solutions recommended by the audiologist.
Having better hearing is as easy as 1-2-3!
Information obtained from various sources and www.canadianaudiology.ca; modified by Karine Bossé
