The ability to voluntarily move one’s ears is an uncommon skill that fascinates many. This perceived rarity sparks curiosity about its underlying biological mechanisms. While seemingly a simple party trick, ear wiggling involves a complex interplay of muscles and nerves, offering insights into human anatomy and evolution.
The Anatomy Behind Ear Movement
The movement of the human ear, or auricle, is primarily controlled by three extrinsic auricular muscles: the anterior, superior, and posterior auricular muscles. These muscles connect the ear to the skull and scalp, enabling movements like pulling the ear forward, upward, or backward. All humans possess these muscles, regardless of whether they can consciously control their ear movement.
These muscles are innervated by branches of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which also controls various facial expressions. Despite their presence, these muscles are largely considered vestigial in humans, meaning they have lost most of their original function over evolutionary time. Unlike many other mammals, human ear movements are generally minimal and do not significantly contribute to hearing.
The Prevalence of Ear Wiggling
The ability to voluntarily wiggle one’s ears is not widespread among humans. Estimates suggest only about 10% to 20% of the population can consciously contract these muscles to move their ears. Even among those who can, the range of motion is often slight.
The challenge lies in the brain’s ability to activate these muscles, which are present in everyone. The neural pathways for conscious control over these often dormant muscles are not well-developed in most individuals.
Evolutionary Roots and Acquired Skill
The capacity for ear movement has significant evolutionary roots, evident in many animal species. Animals like cats, dogs, and horses possess highly mobile ears, which they use to orient towards sounds for directional hearing, predator avoidance, or communication. This ability was crucial for the survival of our distant ancestors, allowing them to effectively funnel sound towards their eardrums.
However, humans largely lost this functional need over millions of years, leading to the auricular muscles becoming vestigial. Our ancestors ceased relying on ear movement as visual and vocal systems became more proficient. Despite this, research shows that even in humans who cannot voluntarily wiggle their ears, these muscles can still exhibit subtle, involuntary activation during intense listening or in response to sounds. This suggests the neural circuits for ear movement are still present, acting as a “neural fossil” of our evolutionary past.
While genetics may influence predisposition, the ability can often be acquired or improved through practice. Learning to move one’s ears involves developing conscious control over these existing, underutilized muscles. Individuals can train themselves through focused effort and proprioception—the body’s sense of its own position and movement. This process strengthens neural connections to activate muscles, rather than growing new ones.