What is the main function of …

Following are the important function of the ear:

Hearing

The mechanism of hearing involves the following steps:

• The sound waves pass through the auditory canal and reach the eardrum.
• The vibrations produced pass through the tympanic membrane to the tympanic cavity.
• The ear ossicles in the tympanic cavity receive the vibrations and the stapes pushes the oval window in and out.
• This action is passed on to the organ of corti, the receptor of hearing, that contains tiny hair cells that translate the vibrations into electrical impulse that are transmitted to the brain by sensory nerves.

Balance

The eustachian tube and the vestibular complex are the important parts of the ear responsible for balance.

• The eustachian tube equalizes the air pressure in the middle ear and maintains the balance.
• The vestibular complex contains receptors that maintain body balance.