A prosthesis of a Ferengi ear
ACeti eel crawls out of a Human ear
Theear was part of asensory system found in mostcarbon-basedlifeforms, typically, but not always, consisting of a fleshy outer appendage usually called theouter ear, as well as a group of canals and vibration-sensitivemembranes and smallbones located inside theskull. Ears functioned by receivingvibrations in the ambientatmosphere and translating them intoelectrical impulses sent to thebrain, which allowed ahumanoid to "hear" sounds around them.
Most humanoidspecies' ears were located on or around the outer areas of the skull, and the sensitivity and range of sounds audible varied greatly among species. The three bones of theHumanmiddle ear were themalleus,incus, andstapes. The ear also had atympanic membrane, which was the connective tissue between the middle and externalauditory canal. (VOY: "Eye of the Needle")
Human ears were typically mostly round, fleshy appendages, whileVulcan ears were more typically pointed at the top. These features made Vulcans the frequent subjects of ridicule by Humans, although the stoic Vulcans were confounded by Human "fascination" with their ears. The shape of Vulcan ears was a result of many millennia of evolution; however, it did not give them superior hearing to that of other, similar humanoid species without pointed ears. (VOY: "Innocence")
TheFerengi had large, rounded ears, the rims of which they referred to as "lobes". Physically, the lobes were highly sensitive areas that produced feelings of pleasure and contentment when stroked, as in the technique calledoo-mox. However, the lobes were also very sensitive to pain. (DS9: "Family Business") In2369, while under the influence of theSaltah'na energy spheres,MajorKira Nerys proposed thatConstableOdo support her in her "mutiny". If he would do so, she offered him full authority on how to handle themartial law on thePromenade, and even to be able to tossQuark out of the station – on his ears. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")
InJuly2151,Sub-CommanderT'Pol hid her Vulcan ears under a long-hairedwig while on a covert mission on theAkaali homeworld. (ENT: "Civilization")
In late2369,VedekBareil Antos toldCommanderBenjamin Sisko that, when he was five years old, he knewa monk who could "squeeze thepagh right out of your ear with histhumb andforefinger". (DS9: "In the Hands of the Prophets")
Many species such as theGorn had no external appendage or visible "ear" but could hear as well as, and in some cases far better than, species with external auditory organs. (ENT: "In A Mirror, Darkly, Part II")
TheSoong-type androids' ears were fully integrated and were not removable. (TNG: "Unification I") They also had a sensitivity greater than those of the average Earthdog. (TNG: "The Schizoid Man")
In2374,Lieutenant CommanderJadzia Dax, aTrill, asserted that she preferred spots to pointed ears in response toCaptainBenjamin Sisko's comment that she would have made a goodRomulan. (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight")
Sensitivity[]
The sensitivity and hearing ranges for species varied widely, even on the sameplanet. Vulcan hearing was known to be more acute than that of most Humans. Ferengi had extremely sensitive hearing as well.Vorta were genetically engineered with no aesthetic sense, but had acute hearing, asWeyoun was able to hearGulDukat's quiet discussion about his daughter with his subordinateDamar. (DS9: "Favor the Bold")
Shalaft's Syndrome was a genetic disorder which caused an extreme sensitivity to sound; this condition was suffered by both CaptainJean-Luc Picard and his cloneShinzon. (Star Trek Nemesis)
In2258 of thealternate reality, while attempting to change her assignment from theUSSFarragut to theUSSEnterprise,Nyota Uhura remindedSpock of her "exceptional aural sensitivity", a fact which the latter did not dispute. (Star Trek)
Deafness[]
The state of being unable to hear, whether bygenetic makeup, congenital defect, or external damage to a being's hearing, was known asdeafness. Some societies considered deafness a weakness or handicap, while others had no social stigma attached to it. (TNG: "Loud As A Whisper")