The Eardrum

hearing · anatomy · sound waves

Catches sound waves. The eardrum is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates your outer ear from your middle ear. When sound waves hit it, it vibrates just like the skin on a drum.

Connects to tiny bones. The eardrum is connected to a tiny bone called the malleus (or hammer bone) that helps pass vibrations deeper into your ear. This bone bridges the gap between the eardrum and two other small bones.

Turns air into fluid motion. Your eardrum catches vibrations in the air and sends them to a fluid-filled part of your ear called the cochlea. This special fluid then carries the vibrations to nerves that send the sound message to your brain.

Amplifies sound. The eardrum and the three tiny bones work together to make sounds stronger and clearer. Without them, sounds would be much quieter and harder to understand.