Anatomy, Head and Neck, Ear Ossicles - StatPearls - NCBI - NIH

They adjust the "resistance" of sound waves, ensuring energy isn't lost when moving from air to fluid.

Damage to these bones typically leads to , where sound cannot physically reach the inner ear.

The largest of the three. Its "handle" (manubrium) is attached to the inner surface of the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Because the eardrum is much larger than the oval window, the ossicles concentrate sound energy, amplifying the signal by roughly 20 times .