by Karen Ellis

Created on: July 22, 2008

Our ears are like cat ears as both humans and felines use them to hear and maintain balance. However, our ears are comprised of only six muscles, where a cat's ears contain 32 muscles. This certainly explains their ability to rotate their ears at 180 degrees as they follow noises and even sounds inaudible to human hearing. While a cat can move each ear independently, picking up auditory waves, it will sit perfectly still. This is, no doubt, an instinctual ability derived from the need to be aware of his predators without giving away his location.

Physiology of the Cat's Ear

A dog moves his ears ten times slower than a cat. The cat's ear muscles are lightening quick in movement. Although, a his sensitivities to low range sounds, such as human male voices, is not as strong as higher pitches, explaining why he will respond better to a female voice.

The cat's ears are comprised of three separate areas:

* The outer ear contains the pinna (ear flap), which sits upright in most cats. The ear flap pulls sound down into the ear canal. Humans have a very short ear canal, but dogs and cats possess long, thin canals that turn down a near 90 degree bend leading to the middle and inner ear.

* The middle ear is walled off from the outer ear with a thin membrane, the eardrum or tympanic membrane. A cat's ear drum is as sensitive as a human's and care must be taken if it is being cleaned. Disease can also harm the eardrum. The middle ear is comprised of 3 tiny bones, the bulla (air filled cavity), the eustanchian tube (which connects the bulla to the rear of the mouth).

* The inner ear is full of nerves that send messages to the cat's brain, letting him know when to flee or fight. The transfer of auditory signals to brain, to adrenalin, to movement is phenomenally quick. The inner ear also contains centers for balance and hearing.

Communication of Cat Ear Muscles

Cat's display body language just as people do. The have individual personalities and may even portray an individual language to their owners through their body movements. However, for the most part, all cats communicate many of the same things. And the movements of their ears are no exception. Studies have shown, at least, five different movements of a cat's ears have meaning.

* When in a resting mode, the cat's ears point forward and out. This seems to be the best position for him to remain relaxed yet still listen to all of the sounds in his environment. Truly, the cat is always taking in the changes in sounds and smells around him.

* When a sound brings the cat to attention, his ears will perk up as the ear muscles move the outer ear towards the sound of concern. You will notice that he is no longer in a relaxed position as he instinctually moves towards a decision to stay put or quickly leave the area.

* Twitching ears generally portray agitation in the cat. A small child or an unfamiliar dog can bring out twitching ears, usually.

* The sentiment behind a cat's flattened ears is no secret. He is annoyed and protecting his ears if a fight should ensue. This body language is also used as a warning to those it's directed at to "get back."

* Aggression is shown through ears that rotate, exposing the back of the ear as they also lay back. He is putting on the kitty boxing gloves so watch out.

A cat's ears will twitch about while looking for the source of a sound. Instinctually, a cat knows the necessity of knowing what is going on about him and where any offending noise is coming from. The muscles in his ears hone the outer ear towards the sound of a mouse long before the cat is able to see his prey.

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