Our ears are tiny complex systems that do more than just let us hear.
1. Fish can hear – even without ears!
Fish don’t have external ears like we do, but they can detect sound. They sense pressure changes in the water through special ridges called lateral lines.
2. Your ears help regulate pressure
Your Eustachian tubes equalise pressure, which is why your ears “pop” on airplanes or when climbing mountains..
3. Snakes have two ways of hearing
Snakes “hear” through vibrations picked up by their jaw bones and through an internal ear structure, helping them detect prey with impressive accuracy.
4. Rock concerts can be incredibly loud
Standing close to the speakers at a rock concert can expose you to around 120 dB of sound – enough to start causing hearing damage in just 7½ minutes. If you’re concerned about recent exposure to loud noises, an audiologist Bristol, such as imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/bristol, will be able to test for damage.
5. Sound is really fast
Sound moves at about 1,130 feet per second, which equals roughly 770 miles per hour.
6. Your ears stay “on” even while you are sleeping
Even in deep sleep, your ears still pick up sound. Your brain filters out most of the noise so you can still rest.
7. The smallest bones in your body live in your ear
The malleus, incus, and stapes – better known as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup – are incredibly tiny. All three bones together are so small, they could comfortably sit on a penny.