Uncover the surprising truth behind our ears’ ability to move in response to sound. Researchers have discovered that this phenomenon, known as ear wiggling, is a remnant of our ancient ancestors’ ability to collect sounds.
Listening to a conversation in a noisy environment can be challenging. But did you know that our ears are capable of moving slightly when we strain to hear? This phenomenon is known as ear wiggling, and it’s not just a quirk of some people – it’s actually a remnant of our ancient ancestors’ ability to collect sounds.
Ear wiggling, also known as ear flapping or ear jiggling, is a common habit where individuals move their ears in a circular motion.
Research suggests that this behavior is often an unconscious action, typically performed when people are bored, anxious, or stressed.
Studies have shown that approximately 70% of the population exhibits some form of ear wiggling behavior, with women being more likely to exhibit this trait than men.
While its exact causes remain unclear, ear wiggling has been linked to various psychological and neurological factors.
The Science Behind Ear Wiggling
Researchers have discovered that the tiny muscles in our ears, called the superior auricular muscle, fire up when we’re trying to listen in difficult conditions. This muscle is responsible for lifting the ear upwards, and it’s present in everyone, regardless of whether they can wiggle their ears or not.
A Relic of Our Ancient Past
Millions of years ago, these muscles may have played a crucial role in helping our ancestors collect sounds from their surroundings. However, today, it’s unlikely that this muscle activity helps us hear better. ‘It does its best, but it probably doesn’t work,’ says neuroscientist Andreas Schröer.
The human ear has undergone significant changes over millions of years, adapting to its environment and developing into the complex organ we know today.
Studies suggest that the earliest known hearing organs date back around 380 million years, during the Devonian period.
Over time, the ear evolved to become more efficient at detecting sound waves, with the development of the cochlea and auditory nerve.
By the Pleistocene era, humans had developed a sophisticated sense of hearing, capable of perceiving a wide range of frequencies.
A Potential Measurement of Hearing Efforts
While ear wiggling may not be a useful aid to hearing, the activity of these muscles could provide valuable information about a person’s hearing efforts. This data could be used to improve hearing aid technology, allowing devices to adjust their behavior when a person is struggling to hear.
Hearing aid technology has undergone significant advancements in recent years, enabling individuals with hearing impairments to communicate more effectively.
Digital signal processing and noise reduction algorithms have improved sound quality and reduced background noise.
Additionally, rechargeable batteries and wireless connectivity options have increased convenience and accessibility.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 430 million people globally suffer from disabling hearing loss, highlighting the importance of continued innovation in this field.
The Variability of Ear Muscles
One challenge researchers face is the wide range of ear sizes and wiggling abilities among individuals. ‘There’s actually quite a bit of variability in the size of your auricular muscles,’ says Schröer, which can make it difficult to record their activity accurately.
A Comforting Discovery for Some
For people with exceptional ear control, this research is reassuring. ‘They really appreciate it because they always thought they were kind of strange,’ says Schröer, who himself has collected stories of remarkable ear abilities from around the world.
- sciencenews.org | Wiggling ears may have once helped us hear
