Ears and Hearing (10)

Overview

Pop Quiz: Ears and Hearing

Question 1

This tiny passageway connects the middle ear to the back of your upper throat.

Choices

Sinus pipeline, eustachian tube, Demitri's canal, lateral ossicle

Conclusion

The eustachian tubes help drain your ears. They also help equalize air pressure. If you've ever felt your ears "pop" on an airplane, it's because of your eustachian tubes!

Question 2

Now, try this one. True or false: Earwax contains sweat.

Conclusion

That's true! Earwax is a mixture of an oily substance called "sebum" and apocrine sweat (a form of sweat released from hair follicles).

Question 3

And finally, true or false: If you sleep with a snorer, your hearing could be damaged over time.

Conclusion

True! In a study of snorers and their bed partners, the bed partners had noise-related hearing damage in the ear that faced the snorer. Thanks for playing!

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.