Facts You Probably Might Not Know About Ears
Our ears are more than just a way to pick up the sounds around us; they are intricate and fascinating organs that play a crucial role in our daily lives. You can learn fun facts about ears from the hearing professionals at Main Line Audiology in Philadelphia, PA that might make you appreciate them a little more. It’s not uncommon to take hearing for granted and give little thought to its importance until problems arise. From enabling communication to maintaining balance, our ears are vital to our health and well-being. Are you ready to hear some amazing facts about ears?
How We Hear Sounds
The journey of sound starts way before it reaches our brain for interpretation. Sound waves travel through the ear canal and hit the eardrum, where they’re converted to vibrations. These vibrations pass through three ear bones, collectively known as the ossicles, and onto the cochlea. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear containing a fluid that reacts to vibrations, activating tiny hair cells. These hairs generate nerve impulses that follow the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are decoded into the sounds we recognize and understand. Hearing care providers test this function when diagnosing hearing loss.
The Ears Contain the Smallest Bones in the Body
The bones in the ear are the smallest in your body. These bones that make up the ossicles are the malleus, incus, and stapes and are pivotal to the hearing process. They have the massive responsibility of amplifying the sound vibrations and transferring them to the inner ear. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the richness of sounds that make up our world. For such small organs, a lot is going on inside the ears that allow us to hear sounds instantly.
Ears Are Always Working
Even when we’re asleep, our ears are still active and continue to collect sounds. However, our brain disregards most of this input. Still, this ability to collect noise during sleep is part of our survival mechanism, allowing us to stay alert to potential dangers while resting.
Ears Self Clean
Many people are familiar with earwax, but did you know it’s part of your ears’ self-cleaning systems? Earwax traps dust and dead skin cells, and with the help of the tiny movements of the jaw as we speak, chew, and swallow, the earwax works its way out of the ear canal naturally. This process means we rarely need to clean our ears other than wiping them dry with a towel. Remember, cotton swabs and other objects should never be stuck into the ears or used to remove earwax as it can cause potential damage.
Balance and Ears
Our ears and balance system are interconnected. The vestibular system within the ear contains fluid and tiny hairs that detect movement and changes in position. This system sends messages to the brain to help us stay stable and upright. Damage to these hairs is a common reason for hearing loss, which is why untreated ear problems can lead to instability and cognitive decline.
The Importance of the Tiny Hairs in Your Ears
The tiny hairs in the inner ear also play a crucial role in hearing. They move according to the vibration of sound waves and transmit nerve signals to the brain. Unfortunately, these hairs can be damaged due to excessive loud noise, aging, or other factors. Unlike hair on other parts of the body that continues to grow, these tiny hairs don’t grow back when damaged, leading to permanent hearing loss. Hearing aids are one of the most common and effective solutions for loss caused by damage to the inner ear cells.
The Ears, Nose, and Throat Are All Connected
The ears are connected to the nose and throat via the Eustachian tube, which helps drain excess mucus from the ear to keep them clear. This is why colds, allergies, or sinus infections can affect your ears. When mucus builds up and clogs the tube, the pressure causes middle ear infections, which are most common in children.
Do Ears Continue to Grow As We Age?
Believe it or not, your ears continue to change throughout your life. Earlobes elongate over time, not because they are growing, but likely due to cartilage breakdown and gravity’s effects. So, next time you look in the mirror, it might look like your ears are bigger than they were decades ago, but they haven’t actually grown.
Contact Us if You Have Ear or Hearing Concerns
Our ears may not always be on our minds, but they deserve our attention. The hearing care providers at Main Line Audiology in Philadelphia, PA like to talk facts about ears because they do so much for us. Remember, prevention is critical to maintaining good ear health. Protect your ears from loud noises, keep them clean, but avoid using cotton swabs inside the ear canal, and be mindful of changes in your hearing. If you have any questions or concerns about your ears, find one of our locations near you to schedule a free hearing test.
