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Normal Ear and Hearing

Sound waves hit the eardrum.
Vibrations of the eardrum pass on to tiny bones (the ossicles) in the middle ear - the malleus, incus and stapes. These bones transmit the vibrations to the cochlea in the inner ear.
Sound signals are sent from the cochlea to the ear nerve and to the brain.
The middle ear space behind the eardrum is normally filled with air.
This air space connects to the back of the nose by the Eustachian tube.

©EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: June 2006

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Featured ENT specialists

Lydia Badia : Consultant Surgeon in Rhinology & Facial Plastics, London

Lydia Badia FRCS (ORL-HNS) is an ENT surgeon in London who specialises in rhinology and sinus surgery. She also specialises in rhinoplasty surgery and other facial, aesthetic and cosmetic surgery,...
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Kalpesh S Patel : ENT Consultant, London

Mr Kalpesh S. Patel BSc (Hons) FRCS (ORL) is a Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon based primarily at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. Mr Patel is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in...
I Myles Black : Consultant ENT and Thyroid surgeon, Kent

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Mr Nitesh Patel was born in London. He graduated from Manchester University in 1994 where he was awarded an MBChB degree with honours for his outstanding overall performance attaining honours in six...
Tim Woolford: ENT surgeon, Consultant ear, nose & throat surgeon, Manchester

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Charles East : Consultant in Otolaryngology, Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery, London

Mr Charles East is a Consultant Surgeon at the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital and the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust. He graduated from the University of London, Charing Cross Hospital...
Guri Sandhu : ENT Consultant (Adult and Paediatrics), London

Mr Gurpreet (Guri) Sandhu is a Consultant ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeon in London based at Charing Cross, The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals. He is an...
Francis Vaz: ENT surgeon, Head and Neck surgeon, London

A fully accredited ENT / Head and Neck Surgeon with private practices in Harley Street and at the Sloane Hospital in Beckenham, Kent Francis Vaz qualified from the University of London through The...
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