The Orthodontic Update Archive

A normal functioning ear apparatus is essential for hearing and ultimately speech development. When a noise is created it sends a sound wave that causes vibration of the tympanic membrane. This vibration continues through the middle ear cavity via the ossicles to the cochlear. Vibration within the cochlear causes cilia to move and these movements change mechanical energy into electrical signals. These signals are transmitted to the brain through the auditory nerve (Figure 1)..