There are two parts of hearing: mechanical and electrical. The mechanical part picks up sound from the outer ear canal and then vibrates the ear drum and three tiny hearing bones in the middle ear. These are the malleus, incus and stapes - also known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup.

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The Eustachian tube is the natural connection between the ear and the nose and throat. It helps ventilate the middle ear as well as the mastoid which is an air-filled honeycomb behind the ear.

The inner ear looks a bit like a snail. It has two halves which are connected and are filled with fluid.

The coil or cochlea takes care of the nerve-part of hearing. Like a telephone, it takes the vibration and turns it into an electric signal that is relayed to the brain.

The other half of the inner ear is the balance or vestibular system. There are three balance canals, each set in a different direction. Depending on which way you turn, fluid moves within the canals and sends the direction to the brain by way of the vestibular nerve.

Inner ear fluid undergoes a natural recycling everyday. It is made from the brain's spinal fluid and is absorbed by the endolymphatic sac. In Meniere's disease, the sac fails to absorb enough fluid. This increases inner ear pressure resulting in dizziness and hearing loss.

Also in close association to the ear is the facial nerve. It helps move the face and also provides for some of the taste fibers to the tip of the tongue.

At the deepest level is the brain from where the hearing, balance and facial nerves originate.

• Ear Drum Surgery - See, Tympanoplasty