Do whales have ears?

Question

I know that they hear underwater as well as in the atmosphere, and they are mammals, but do they have ears?

Answer 1

Yes, they do.
As you probably know, we usually divide the ears of most mammals into three parts: an external ear (pinna) and auditory meatus (the outer part of the auditory canal), a middle ear (starting at the tympanic membrane and continuing with the three tiny ossicles commonly known as anvil, hammer and stirrup) and an internal ear (with 3 semicircular canals, cochlea, etc). The middle ear is enclosed within a bone called tympanic, which usually forms a more or less inflated spherical structure around the ossicles (the bulla), and the internal ear lies within another bone, the petrose.
Whales lack a pinna completely, and their auditory meatus is closed to the outer environment (although it is still close to the surface in toothed whales, and some have vestiges of external ear structures). Thus, no trace of "ear" is visible on the external surface of the animal. However, they have well developed middle and internal ear and, as you have stated, they have a good sense of hearing.

Here's a detailed description of the ear of an odontocete (toothed whale):
http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/bionb424/students2004/kls36/neuroanatomy.htm

Some of the major differences with terrestrial mammals are 1) whales lack a tympanic membrane (or it's very reduced); they have a tympanic plate which is a very thin bone, capable of vibrations; 2) the bone that envelops the internal ear (petrose) does not contact the rest of the skull; it's suspended away from other bones by means of ligaments and surrounded by an oily-mucous foam that also fills the 3) extensive sinuses in the head (cavities in the soft tissues below the blowhole, connected to the middle ear and the nasal passages). These sinuses and their content regulate pressure within the middle ear.
The ear is efficiently isolated from the surrounding skull bones.

What is also very different in whales with respect to other mammals is the path of sound to the inner ear. In terrestrial mammals, sound vibrations that traverse the air are received by the tympanum, and the chain of ossicles amplifies these vibrations and transmits them inwards (the entrance to the internal ear is much smaller than the tympanum, thus enhancing the amplification). This is not efficient under water, where much of the sound is lost at each water-air/air-water interface.
In cetaceans (at least in Odontoceti, the toothed whales) sound waves are received via a sector in the lower jaw, and transmitted to the middle ear by means of a specialized soft tissue or 'fat pad' that extends from the lower jaw to the middle-internal ear. There, the tympanic membrane and the tympanic plate perceive different vibration frequencies.

The echolocation of toothed whales has been extensively studied, and the evolution of this system can be traced in the fossil record of whales:
http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/comments/evolution_of_the_whale_ear/
but there's not much information about baleen whales (Mysticeti). I know that the auditory meatus is more reduced, and that they don't echolocate like odontocetes do. I'll write more if I find anything interesting :-)

Answer 2

Do Whales Have Ears

Answer 3

S ound is a way of life for whales. Since these great mammals left the land and took to the seas millions of years ago, their survival has been dependent on the evolution of ear structures that are highly specialized for underwater hearing. The dark abyss of the ocean limits eyesight, and water dilutes scent. But sound travels faster and covers greater distances in water than it does in air. So whales must rely primarily on sound for sensory perception, as well as for communication. Sound, therefore, has a profound influence on navigation, feeding, socialization, breeding and other whale behavior.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do whales have ears?
I know that they hear underwater as well as in the atmosphere, and they are mammals, but do they have ears?

Answer 5

Unlike the rest of the mammals, whales have no tear glands, no skin glands, and no olfactory sense. Their hearing is acute but the ear has no external opening. Hearing occurs via vibrations transmitted to a heavy, shell-like bone formed by fusion of skull bones (the periotic and auditory bullae).

Answer 6

Apparently my whale does not. I am forever repeating myself with Shamu and swear he does not hear a word I say. Either he is earless or he has selective hearing. For his sake I hope he is earless, he left the seat up on the toilet again and my wife is choked.

Answer 7

they do not have ears,,. the fell da vibration and also there sense of smell is in da sense of taste

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

No whales doesn't have any ears because it a mamal because it live under water.

Answer 10

no, i don't think so