The ear has three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. A hearing loss can happen when any of these parts are not working in the usual way.

Outer Ear
The outer ear is made up of three parts; the part we see on the sides of our heads (pinna), the ear canal, and the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

Middle Ear
The middle ear is made up of the eardrum and three small bones (ossicles) that send the movement of the eardrum to the inner ear.

Inner Ear
The inner ear is made up of the snail shaped organ for hearing (cochlea) and the nerves that go to the brain.