Hearing

Hearing is done through the ears. The ears are a pair of sensory organs comprising the auditory system involved in the detection of sound and in maintaining the body balance or equilibrium.

Anatomy of the Ears

The ear is divided into three compartments: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.

Outer Ear

This is the outside part of the ear and the ear canal. Their main function is to collect sound and funnel it to the eardrum.

Middle Ear

The middle ear is an air filled space that houses the three middle ear bones that transmit sound. It includes the eardrum, the first bone called the hammer, the second bone called the anvil, and the third bone called the stapes.

Sound energy coming from the outer ear causes the eardrum to vibrate. The eardrum sets into motion the first ear bone, which transmits the motion to the second bone. The stapes transforms the sound energy into mechanical energy.

Inner Ear

A delicate membranous inner ear is enclosed and protected by a bone chamber known as the bony labyrinth. The inner ear is made up of both hearing and balance components.

As the stapes pushes back and forth against the cochlea, it compresses the fluid to create waves in the fluid filled compartments. Specific nerve messages are created. These messages then travel to the brain through the cochlear nerve. Where they are interpreted.

Conditions that Cause Hearing Loss

The ear and especially the inner ear is very sensitive and needs to be well protected. Because of their position, it is well protected from shock by the bone structure around it. However, it is still susceptible to various diseases that can cause hearing loss. Some of these include;

Meningitis - Deadly disease that can cause deafness, even if one survives it,
Microtia - A deformity of the ear that causes hearing loss,
Meniere’s Disease - A common disorder of dizziness and hearing loss,
Rubella - One of the major causes of deafness in the 1960’s,
Otosclerosis - A hearing related condition that can be treated with surgery,
Cytomegalovirus and Deafness - One of the more common causes of hearing loss.

Though diseases can cause hearing loss, it is also possible to be born without the sense of hearing. Aging can also slowly erode the sense of hearing. However, hearing aids have come a long way to improve this condition.

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