Offering diagnosis and treatment of communication, hearing, and
swallowing disorders Published: Oct. 8, 2010 Updated: Nov. 3,
2011 Sound is caught by our outer ear (pinna) and funneled down
the ear canal where it reaches the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
The sound vibrates the eardrum, which then vibrates the bones
(malleus, incus and stapes) behind the eardrum in the middle ear
space. The linked movement of the bones transmits vibrations to
the inner ear via the oval window. The inner ear contains the
organ of hearing (the cochlea) and the vibrations are
transmitted into signals that are then transferred to the
auditory center of the brain. Hearing testing is important for
children and adults. It is always beneficial to get your hearing
tested even if you don’t suspect a problem. At your next annual
physical consider requesting a hearing test so you will have a
baseline test to help determine any changes in the future. If
you or a significant other suspects that you may have hearing
loss, schedule an appointm