Here's how it works:

1. Sound waves enter the ear canal and hit the tympanic membrane.

2. The eardrum vibrates in response to the sound waves.

3. The malleus is attached to the eardrum. Because of this connection, the vibrations of the eardrum are transferred to the malleus.

4. The malleus vibrates, passing the vibrations on to the incus and stapes, the other two bones in the middle ear.

This chain reaction of vibrations ultimately transmits sound to the inner ear, where it is converted into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.