The way the ear works is not as simple as it seems. To carry out its function as a sense of hearing, the ear will pick up the sounds around it, then process it further, so that the brain recognizes the sound. In addition, the organ of hearing also has other functions that are no less important, such as maintaining body balance.
No wonder when someone experiences hearing loss due to ear infection, tinnitus, barotrauma, or Meniere's disease, in addition to experiencing decreased hearing function, that person can also experience headaches and staggering.
Understanding Ear Anatomy
The anatomical arrangement of the ear has at least three main parts, namely the outer part which consists of the auricle and the ear canal. The center contains the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes). Furthermore, the inside consists of the cochlea, vestibule, and three semicircular or semicircular canals.
The way the ear works begins when the outer ear organ, namely the earlobe, picks up sound around you until it enters the middle ear through the ear canal. When the sound enters, the sound will be converted into vibrations which are channeled to the eardrum with the help of the eardrum.
These vibrations then move the small bones in the middle ear to help the sound move into the inner ear. When the vibration hits the cochlea, the hair will move and create a signal to the brain so that the brain recognizes the vibration as sound. That's how the ear works in processing sound.
Know Your Ear's Other Functions
Not only hearing, ears also play a role in maintaining the balance of your body which consists of two components, including:
- Static balance, namely static balance means the body's ability to maintain balance in a fixed position or standing.
- Dynamic balance, namely dynamic balance, namely the ability to maintain balance when moving.
The parts of the ear that are responsible for balance are the three semicircular canals which contain thousands of tiny, fluid-filled hairs. When you move your head, the fluid in these three canals moves.
This fluid will then move the tiny hairs and send signals to the brain about the position of your head. After that, the brain will send messages to the muscles to keep your body in balance.
Of course, in addition to recognizing the function and workings of the ear, you need to know how to maintain ear health and hygiene. Avoid some things that can damage the work of your ears, such as listening to music too loud or using headset too often with loud noises, and the habit of picking at the ears using unusual objects, such as the tip of a pen or paper clip.
If your ears have hearing loss, do not hesitate to consult an ENT doctor. The doctor will conduct an examination, as well as treatment according to the condition of your hearing loss.