The voice of the conversation of the people around you, the sound of music, and the noise of motor vehicles has become a common thing to hear. However, how exactly is the process of sound processing by the ear organ? C'mon, we do ear anatomy and how the sound process can be heard by us.
In addition to the role of collecting and processing sound so that it becomes a signal reaching the brain, the ear also has the function of keeping your body balanced. This hearing organ ensures that you won't fall while bending over to pick things up from the floor, or stand up from a squatting position. Recognizing the anatomy of the ear can enable us to better appreciate and maintain the health of this hearing organ.
Three Ears
The anatomy of the ear consists of three major parts. Each consists of a structure that plays a different role in the process of changing sound waves to reach the brain.
Outer ear
The anatomy of the outer ear consists of physically visible parts of the ear, the pinna and the ear hole. Pinna is auricle which can be seen from the outside. It looks like a funnel that collects sound waves from around and passes them into the ear hole.
Middle ear
The anatomy of the middle ear consists of an air filled passageway where there are three bones.
- Hammerhead (malleus): attached to the eardrum.
- The base bone (incus): is in the middle of the ear bones.
- Stirrups (stapes): bone that connects the middle ear and inner ear.
These bones are separated from the outer ear by the eardrum. The middle ear is connected to the eustachian tubes which open and close at the tip of the throat and serve to channel mucus from the middle ear and maintain pressure in the middle ear. To obtain normal vibrations from the eardrum, a pressure balance is needed on both sides of the eardrum.
Inner ear
In the inner ear there is a cochlea, the real organ of hearing. Cochlea is a snail-like bone and is filled with two types of fluid, namely endolymph and perilymph. Around the cochlea are fine hair cells that play an important role in converting sound waves into electrical signals in the auditory nerve. In addition to hearing, the balance function is also carried out in the inner ear.
How can the sound process be heard?
The sound that is heard will enter the ear as a vibration. The vibrations travel into the ear canal until they reach the eardrum. The eardrums vibrate and send a series of sound vibrations to the three bones in the middle ear. The three ear bones increase the strength of sound vibrations and deliver them to the inner ear.
This increased strength of vibrations is needed to transmit energy from sound waves into the fluid in the inner ear. Hair cells as sensors located in the cochlea layer then convert vibrations into electrical signals that are transmitted through the auditory nerve to the brain. That's the process you can hear the sound.
Supporting Balance
Apart from allowing you to hear, the ears also help maintain your body's balance. There are three channels located in the inner ear above the cochlea. Just like the cochlea, this channel is also filled with fluid and thousands of specialized hair cells.
When your head moves, the fluid in the channel moves and moves hair cells, which then send messages through nerves to the brain as information about the position of your head. The brain will then quickly send messages to the right muscles, so that your body position can stay balanced.
Sometimes, this fluid continues to move when your body is stationary. For example after you rotate the body repeatedly. These conditions can cause you to feel dizzy for a moment because the brain receives different messages about the position of your head. However, the dizziness you experience will subside and return to normal once the fluid in the balance organ in the inner ear has stopped moving.
Considering the important role of the ear in daily life, then this organ should be treated properly. One way you can protect your ears is to wear earplugs when in a very noisy area. Also make sure the volume of your music or radio is in a low or medium position when wearing earphones or when in an enclosed space, such as in a car.
As far as possible, avoid cleaning the ears by using a cotton bud because of the risk of causing injury or further pushing the earwax inward. Basically, the ear has a mechanism to clean the duct naturally. ENT doctors (ears, nose and throat) can help cleanse your ears, under certain conditions if deemed necessary. By knowing the anatomy of the ear above, you are expected to be more vigilant in maintaining the health of this hearing organ.
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