Performance Hearing Center

The visible shape of your ear (the auricle) isn’t just cosmetic—it actually helps your brain figure out where sound is coming from. Research shows it plays a role in sound localization, especially in distinguishing whether sounds come from above or below.

Learn more about how your ears process sound.

How the Shape of Your Ear Can Dramatically Change Your Ability to Hear Could the shape of your ear contribute to hearing loss? A new study reveals why ear shape is so important.