The effects of impulse noise on the eardrum and middle ear.

Noise rarely damages the tympanic membrane and middle ear. High intensity impulse noise (explosions) can rupture the eardrum and disrupt the ossicular chain. Middle ear muscles play no part in the defense of the inner ear against high intensity impulse noise. Other mechanisms that protect the inner ear are slippage of the incudomalleal joint, a maximal limit of stapes displacement, and unlinking of the ossicular chain.