The human ear is a masterful design of engineering. It allows us to hear, and it also works in controlling our balance.

	The ear is comprised of three parts: 1.) THE OUTER EAR - captures sound waves and conducts them to the middle ear. 2.) THE MIDDLE EAR - converts sound waves into mechanical vibrations. 3.) THE INNER EAR - converts the vibrations into nerve impulses and transmits them to the brain.
The inner ear contains a structure called the cochlea. It is a hollow tube coiled like a snail's shell. It contains thick fluid and the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti contains thousands of tiny cells, or hair cells. These hair cells extend into the surrounding fluid. Incoming sound vibrations from the middle ear cause the fluid and hair cells in the inner ear to vibrate. Different hair cells respond to different frequencies. These vibrations are converted to nerve impulses, which are transmitted to the brain. Loud noise can damage the fragile hair cells. Once a hair cell is destroyed, it does not appear to regenerate. Progressive damage and hearing loss occurs with repeated exposure to loud noise.