Your eustachian tubes connect your middle ears to your throat. In severe cases, ear tubes may be necessary. Ear infection treatment usually involves antibiotics. This type of infection is more likely to affect children than adults. Otitis media develops when bacteria and viruses become trapped in your middle ear. Ear infection (otitis media)Įar infections most commonly occur in your middle ear. There are many diseases and conditions that can affect your ears, including infection, eustachian tube dysfunction, swimmer’s ear and more. They tell your brain which direction your head is moving. The semicircular canals, also known as the labyrinthine, are responsible for balance. When sound enters, the fluid inside of your cochlea causes the tiny hairs to vibrate, sending electrical impulses to your brain. This snail-shaped structure contains two fluid-filled chambers lined with tiny hairs. Your inner ear contains two main parts: the cochlea and the semicircular canals. Your middle ears also house the eustachian tubes, which help equalize the air pressure in your ears. (Healthcare providers refer to these three bones as the ossicles.) They transfer sound vibrations from your eardrum to your inner ear. There are three tiny bones in this area - the malleus, incus and stapes. Your middle ear begins on the other side of your tympanic membrane (eardrum). Its funnel-shaped canal leads to your eardrum, or tympanic membrane. It’s what most people mean when they say “ear.” Also called the auricle or pinna, your outer ear consists of ridged cartilage and skin, and it contains glands that secrete ear wax. Your outer ear is the part of your ear that’s visible. Your tympanic membrane (eardrum) separates your outer ear and middle ear. The three main parts of your ear include the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. This part of your brain is responsible for hearing, speech, memory and some emotion. Your ears are on either side of your head, directly over your temporal lobe.

Parts of the ear