How does the Sense of Hearing Work?
Hearing is the ability to detect sound. Humans and other mammals are able to do this with the help of an organ called ear.
The word ear is used to refer to the outer ear, and a group of nerves and muscles hidden inside called the inner ear.
The outer ear or pinna is the first step in hearing. It directs sound energy down the auditory canal towards the eardrum. Sound that passes through the eardrum is simplified into one amplitude, that is detected by the inner ear and transmitted to the brain.
The inner ear is a hollow cavity, that is filled with a liquid and lined with hair-like structures, that are sensitive to sound. When sound passes into the liquid of the inner ear, it applies pressure on the tiny hairs. This triggers a signal to the brain, which it interprets as a particular sound.
Your sense of balance depends primarily on the vestibular system, also located in your inner ear. The moment you close your eyes, your ears can’t correlate and you will start losing balance.