The human ear is the most complex sensory system in the human body. Vision and smell are extraordinary senses, but they do not match in complexity the ear’s process of turning minute waves of sound pressure from air molecules banging against the eardrum into the neural signals that get sent to the brain and interpreted as sound. With our sense of hearing we can hear the exquisite sounds of nature, enjoy all kinds of music, and understand the complexities of one or more spoken languages.

This drawing, by the famous medical illustrator, Dr. Frank Netter, taken from the1970 CIBA Pharmaceutical “Clinical Symposia” series, shows the amazing structures of the ear involved in converting sound waves to neural impulses.

The ear is divided into four parts: the external or outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the neural ear. Each part serves an important and unique function in the process of hearing.

Click on the links to the left or in the image of the ear to learn more about human hearing.