How Your Ear Works
Outer Ear
The outer ear collects sound waves and funnels these through the ear canal towards the eardrum.
Middle Ear
Struck by sound waves, the eardrum begins to vibrate; consequently, the vibration triggers three tiny bones (the ossicular chain) within the middle ear. This process of sound intensifies before reaching the inner ear through the oval window (a membrane).
Inner Ear
Sound waves passing through the oval window initiate a wave-like movement of fluid within the cochlea. As a result, thousands of sensory hair cells activate, and, in turn, electric signals generate. Via the acoustic nerve, the signals travel to the brain, where they recognize sounds.
Source: Bernafon Canada Ltd.
