Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Ear01:16

Anatomy of the Ear

14.1K
Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
14.1K
The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

52.7K
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
52.7K
Hair Cells01:22

Hair Cells

46.9K
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.
46.9K
Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

9.1K
Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...
9.1K
Hearing01:31

Hearing

59.1K
When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.
59.1K
The Auditory Ossicles01:11

The Auditory Ossicles

4.0K
The auditory ossicles of the middle ear transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. The auditory ossicles consist of two malleus (hammer) bones, two incus (anvil) bones, and two stapes (stirrups), one on each side. These bones develop during the fetal stage and are the ones to ossify first. They are fully mature at birth and do not grow afterward.
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
4.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Menière's disease.

BMJ clinical evidence·2015
Same author

Ear wax.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2015
Same author

Middle-ear pain and trauma during air travel.

BMJ clinical evidence·2015
Same author

The concept lens diagram: a new mechanism for presenting biochemistry content in terms of "big ideas".

Biochemistry and molecular biology education : a bimonthly publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·2011
Same author

Diagnose and treat hearing loss.

The Practitioner·2006
Same author

Cervical endplay assessment does not improve the efficacy of cervical manipulation.

The Australian journal of physiotherapy·2004

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings
13:04

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings

Published on: May 7, 2016

8.0K

Ear wax.

Tony Wright1

  • 1Emeritus Professor of Otolaryngology, UCL Ear Institute, London, UK.

BMJ Clinical Evidence
|March 5, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ear wax removal methods like irrigation and softeners are reviewed for effectiveness and safety. This systematic review evaluates interventions for impacted ear wax, aiding clinical decisions.

More Related Videos

New Methods to Study Gustatory Coding
10:59

New Methods to Study Gustatory Coding

Published on: June 29, 2017

10.1K
Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual
10:40

Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual

Published on: January 11, 2018

70.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings
13:04

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings

Published on: May 7, 2016

8.0K
New Methods to Study Gustatory Coding
10:59

New Methods to Study Gustatory Coding

Published on: June 29, 2017

10.1K
Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual
10:40

Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual

Published on: January 11, 2018

70.8K

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Evidence-based medicine
  • Systematic reviews

Background:

  • Ear wax (cerumen) accumulation can lead to hearing impairment and other ear symptoms.
  • Normal cerumen extrusion is often hindered by hearing aids or improper cleaning with cotton buds.
  • Impacted ear wax may obscure the tympanic membrane, necessitating removal for diagnostic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the effects of various ear wax removal methods.
  • To answer the clinical question regarding the efficacy and safety of ear wax removal interventions.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library) up to July 2014.
  • Included studies were evaluated for the quality of evidence using the GRADE system.
  • Harms alerts from regulatory agencies (FDA, MHRA) were also incorporated.

Main Results:

  • Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review.
  • The review evaluated interventions including ear irrigation, manual removal, and wax softeners.
  • GRADE assessment was performed to determine the quality of evidence for each intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Information on the effectiveness and safety of ear irrigation, manual removal, and wax softeners was presented.
  • The review provides evidence to guide clinical practice in managing impacted ear wax.
  • Findings support informed decision-making regarding the choice of ear wax removal techniques.