Ear costume illustration original pen and ink and watercolour illustration by Rosie Brooks

Original Pen and ink and Watercolour illustration by Rosie Brooks

The ear is the organ responsible for the sense of hearing, as well as maintaining balance and orientation. The ear is composed of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

The outer ear consists of the visible part of the ear, called the pinna, and the ear canal. The pinna collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal, where they travel to the middle ear.

The middle ear is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum, a thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves. The middle ear also contains three small bones called the ossicles (the malleus, incus, and stapes) that amplify and transmit the sound waves from the eardrum to the inner ear.

The inner ear contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ that is responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. The inner ear also contains the vestibular system, which helps maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Hearing loss can occur due to damage or impairment to any part of the ear, and may be caused by a variety of factors, including age, genetics, noise exposure, and certain medical conditions.