• Eardrum vibrates when sound hits it, sending it to middle ear

• Equalizes air pressure

• Impedance matching between the air in the external auditory meatus and the labyrinthine fluids (amplifies sound)

• Protection of the inner ear by the acoustic reflex

• Pressure in the middle ear is maintained through the Eustachian tubes

• Sends sound to inner ear

• Transmit energy from outer to inner ear

• Acoustic Energy is converted to Mechanical Energy by eardrum

• Overcomes the mismatch between the ME and IE

• Provides a boost in intensity as well

• Middle ear muscle reflex

• Loss of energy

• Offset the decrease in Acoustic Energy that would occur if the low impedance ear canal air directly contacted the high-impedance cochlear fluid

• Goes from air to fluid filled

• Prepares sound for cochlea and protects cochlea

(Musiek and Baran, page 73-81.)

The middle ear is less known about, but equally as important when it comes to our ability to hear. The main thing it does is convert Acoustic Energy to Mechanical Energy. If this change didn't happen, the energy and noise wouldn't be able to transport to the inner ear and wouldn't be able to be processed by the brain. The ear pressure is also maintained through the Eustachian tubes. If pressure wasn't maintained, pain or issues hearing could occur. Additionally, impedance mismatch has to occur for us to be able to ear, so if any part of the middle ear isn't functioning right, our hearing could be effected.