What is the primary use of the eardrum?

The primary use of the eardrum is to transmit sound vibrations. When sound waves enter the ear, they strike the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations then travel through the tiny bones of the middle ear (the malleus, incus, and stapes) to the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound. This process is crucial for our ability to hear.

While the other functions listed—balance, amplification of sound, and detection of pressure changes—are related to other structures in the ear or involve different mechanisms, they do not describe the core function of the eardrum. The eardrum itself does not play a direct role in balance; that function is primarily managed by the vestibular system within the inner ear. Similarly, while the eardrum contributes to sound amplification through its vibration and interaction with the ossicles, the term "amplify" more accurately refers to the overall process involving the entire auditory system. Detection of pressure changes may involve the eustachian tube or other parts of the ear but is not the main function of the eardrum itself.