Inner ear and “Rock Hounds” What’s the connection? By Dr. Amy Welman, Au.D Family Hearing and Balance Center Akron, Ohio

I saw a patient today accompanied by her husband who are “rock hounds”.  I learned that they love to travel to different parts of the country and find rare and unusual stones and gems.  Her husband commented that the inner ear, cochlea, resembles an ammonite fossil and described to me how the fossil process happens as well as how the opal color occurs naturally.  Fascinating!   Finding these connections with patients is so much fun and educational!  You never know what you may learn.