Why don’t we have the ability to “close” our ears, just like our eyes?

Question

Why don’t we have the ability to “close” our ears, just like our eyes?

In: Biology

Answer 1

We do but it’s not really under a functional level of voluntary control. It’s the rumbling you hear in your ears when you hear a very loud or sharp noise- your tensor tympani muscle sealing off as much of your ear drum as possible from the noxious stimulus.