The smallest bone in the human body can be found in the middle ear. This area, known as the ossicular chain, is made up of the three smallest bones: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and the stapes (stirrup). The malleus attaches to the eardrum, and the incus connect to the malleus and stapes. This chain transmits sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane (the eardrum) to the inner ear.

The ossicular chain is very important and crucial for your hearing. If you damage this chain, it could result in loss of hearing. As these bones are very small, they could easily be damaged through loud noises and vibrations. In a world full of rumbling car engines, booming basses, and music that can be blared through car radios, speakers, headphones and earbuds, we need protection in our ears more than ever. Did you know God created a muscle to protect this area? This, in fact, is the smallest muscle in the human body.

The smallest bone, the Y-shaped stapes, is so fragile, it needs the stapedius (stay-puh-dee-us) to stabilize it, keeping it safe from loud noises that might rattle or damage it. This muscle connects to the neck of the stapes or the base of the “Y” shape. When loud noises or vibrations enter the ear, rattling the stapes, this muscle is your ear’s best line of defense.

God designed this tiny muscle to protect our ears from loud noises. It contracts, or tenses up, which holds the bones steady. When loud noises enter your ear, the ossicular chain vibrates, but this stiffened basically manages the amount of volume that enters the inner ear, which protects the cochlea.

If my hair is blowing in the wind, I can tie is back to keep it from flying everywhere. That ponytail holder securing the hair is like the stapedius, stabilizing the bones.

Although this muscle plays a major part in protecting our ears, you still have to do your part. The reflexes in this muscle are slow. Although you are protected from loud noises, you are not protected from sudden noises—gunshots, buzzers at sports games, the lawnmower suddenly turning on, etc.

It is important that you also keep your volume in your headphones or earbuds low, as exposure to prolonged loud sounds can also damage your auditory system. God gave us protection, but we have to do our part as well to keep ourselves safe.

If this tiny muscle is damaged, your ears can become much more sensitive. Wider oscillations of the stapes can occur, causing hyperacusis, extreme sensitivity to any sound. Any sound would feel like a speaker blaring in your ear. Protecting this tiny muscle God gave you is incredibly important.

This muscle may be tiny—just over a millimeter in length—but it is still incredibly important for our wellbeing. God designed us perfectly, where every muscle, tendon and organ has a purpose and works together. Just because the stapedius is tiny doesn’t mean it is useless. The size does not matter. If God can use the smallest muscle in the body as a protecting mechanism, what can He use you for?

Ephesians 4:16 says, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Every part of the body, every chain of bones, every muscle and mechanism was specially designed by God to work together. And even the smallest, most unassuming parts can play the vital roles.

The smallest muscle in the body carries one of the largest responsibilities. Next time you hear the birds sing or listen to your favorite song, remember you have the stapedius to thank for that.