i studied too long and too hard for simple answers.

bowen: i think there are ants in my ears.

me: no, there are no ants in your ears....who told you that?

bowen: no one.

me: well, i promise there are no ants.

bowen: then what's in our ears?

me: well there are a lot of things. first there is the auditory canal, which leads to the eardrum and three tiny bones, malleus, incus, and stapes. these tiny bones lead to an opening called the oval window....then you get to the cochlea, which will eventually lead to your brain, telling you what you heard.

bowen: nope, pretty sure it's just Ants!