The middle ear plays a vital role in the sense and sensitivity of hearing. Of the various characteristics that distinguish mammals from other vertebrates, several pertain specifically to the middle-ear system, such as the presence of three middle-ear bones and the four-layer composite structure of the tympanic membrane. The Middle Ear attempts to elucidate the role this system plays in sound transmission, as viewed from both scientific and clinical perspectives.

This book explores the middle ear system, describing the function of the middle-ear bones, the structure of the tympanic membrane and the motility of the outer hair cells in the cochlea, which endow mammals with a unique capacity for hearing high-frequencies.