Our sense of hearing is an amazing and complex system.

On its most basic level, it works by the ears picking up sounds, translating them to electrical impulses, and transmitting them via nerve fibers to the brain where they are received and interpreted.

Below you can learn how different parts of the ear make hearing possible.

Outer Ear:
Known as the pinna or auricle, the visible portion of the ear gathers sound from the surrounding environment and sends it down the ear canal.

Middle Ear:
The vibration of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) is transmitted to three small bones (malleus, incus, and stapes) that carry sound to the inner ear.
 

Inner Ear:
Made-up of two main parts: the cochlea, a system of complex hair cells (sensory cells) and the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance. Tiny hair cells send impulses to the auditory nerve, which in turn sends it on to the brain for the final processing of the sound.