We all have muscles that allow us to move our ears. The ability to move our ears is thought to be given to us by a particular gene, which in the case of some people does not work. Despite having the gene in question, however, most of us are unable to move our ears voluntarily. Just as some animals prick their ears, we humans can also learn how to move them.
Steps
Step 1. Let's first identify the muscles in question
The muscles that move our ears are located above and behind the ears. They help us move our ears up and back when flexed. In detail, these are the superior auricularis and the posterior auricularis. In case you can't move your ears, at the very least you can be a pundit with friends by coming up with the Latin names of the muscles.
Step 2. Try flexing the muscles in question
Since you've probably never used them, you'll need to try teaching your brain to recognize and use them.
Step 3. Look in the mirror or touch your ears as you try to flex the muscles in question
It may feel a little weird at first and you will find that the movement is minimal. Learning to move your ears can simply mean learning to recognize a movement you already do (even minimally), and a mirror will tell you when you have succeeded. Place a finger like in the photo to be able to focus on the right muscles.
- You may spend a lot of time raising your eyebrows or opening and closing your mouth. It's all right. In fact, many people move their ears unwittingly when they raise their eyebrows. Just as it can be difficult to lift only the ring finger, the muscles that move the ears often work in tandem with other nearby muscles.
- Try making an expression of great surprise or interest, with your mouth open and your eyebrows raised. Just like animals do that, when they want to be alert, prick their ears, you may too, perhaps without realizing it.
- If your scalp starts to move, especially when you raise your eyebrows, keep trying and watch your ears. You are on the right path.
Step 4. Try to isolate the muscles that make your ears move
You may have managed to move your ears, but it won't make much of an impression if at the same time you have to raise your eyebrows and look surprised every time. Or maybe you can't move your ears without moving your scalp at the same time, but you should be able to learn how to move them without moving your eyebrows. Practice moving your ears without moving other parts of your face.
Step 5. Practice
Even though you have located the muscles in question, your ears will not move much, especially not in the beginning. You've probably gone your whole life without using them, and so they might be a little out of shape. Practice regularly and you will see that your ear movement will become more pronounced and stronger.
Advice
- Try wearing glasses. If they start to slip, you may notice how your ears subconsciously try to pull them up before your hands do.
- Looking in the mirror, see if your ears move when you smile … often, when a person smiles, the ears go up or move slightly with the smile. This could be a good starting point for being able to isolate the muscles in question.
- To help isolate your muscles, try making a really big smile. This will cause your ears to naturally move upward and help you realize what muscles move them.
- Not everyone can move both ears, so be careful not to focus on just one ear, you may not notice that the other is moving!
- Try moving only one ear. It is more difficult to move both as they are different muscles.
- You should try to try various techniques such as smiling and raising your eyebrows, as you will probably not succeed the first time.
- When you try to move your ears, look in the mirror. If you see that the other ear is moving, it means that you are a phenomenon!
- On average, about twice as many men as women are able to move their ears.
Warnings
- Practice on your own. You may make a fool of yourself before you are really able to do it.
- Some people may find that this is difficult or unnatural for them. If that doesn't work, don't worry too much. This is not a great talent.
