To better understand hearing loss and what can be done about it, it’s essential to first understand how the ear receives and processes sound.

Outer Ear : Sound enters the ear at the pinna, the visible part on the outside of the head. The pinna collects sound waves and funnels them down the ear canal toward the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Together, the pinna and ear canal make up the outer ear.

Middle Ear : The middle ear begins with the eardrum. When sound waves travel down the ear canal and reach the eardrum, it vibrates like a drum. Behind the eardrum is an air-filled space containing three tiny bones: the malleus, incus, and stapes, the smallest bones in the human body. The vibrations from the eardrum cause these bones to vibrate. The middle ear includes the eardrum, malleus, incus, stapes, and the surrounding air pocket.

Inner Ear : The inner ear consists of the cochlea and the semicircular canals, which are responsible for hearing and balance. These structures, along with the cochlear nerve (auditory nerve), form the inner ear. Sound passes to the inner ear through the vibrations of the middle ear bones, which connect to the cochlea. Thousands of tiny sensory hair cells within the cochlea convert these vibrations into electrochemical signals. These signals are then carried by the auditory nerve to the brain, where sound is processed and interpreted.

The Brain : The Centre of Sound Interpretation

Once these electrical signals reach the brain, they are directedto the auditory cortex, the area dedicated to processing sounds. Here, neurons, or nerve cells, work diligently to interpret these signals. The brain deciphers these signals as different sounds, enabling us to recognise a familiar voice, the melody of a song, or the rustle of leaves.

Understanding Through Sound : This entire process allows us not just to hear, but to listen and understand. It connects us with our surroundings and helps us communicate and engage more fully with the world