An air-filled cavity, about the size of a pea, between the eardrum and inner ear containing three tiny bones (called ossicles)—malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup)—that conduct sound from the eardrum to the inner ear via the oval window.

See Musical Ear Syndrome.

A bacterial or viral inflammation that can cause auditory disorders due to infection or inflammation of the inner ear or auditory nerve.

A syndrome that consists of vertigo, tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the affected ear and a fluctuating hearing loss. It is thought to be caused by fluid imbalance in the inner ear.

See Most Comfortable Loudness level.

The bone located behind the ear in which your inner ear is embedded. The “bump” behind your ear is called the mastoid process.