Transformer mechanism of middle ear

Transformer mechanism of middle ear
When sound waves travel from middle ear (medium containing air – lesser density medium) to inner ear (medium containing fluid – higher density medium), some part of it is reflected, refracted and absorbed.

This energy lost in the form of reflection, refraction and absorption should be gained somehow such that we can hear the sound with it’s original energy. Otherwise, we will hear all sounds with lesser than their original energy (Imagine yourself inside water and hearing a sound from outside). This compensatory mechanism naturally present in the middle ear is called transformer mechanism or impedance-matching mechanism.

It helps to gain the energy several times before entering into inner ear so that the amount of energy gained by this mechanism will be equal to amount of energy lost during air to fluid (middle ear to inner ear) transmission.