The outer ear is the visible part of the ear that is located on the outside of the head. It consists of two main parts: the pinna, which is the curved structure that collects sound waves, and the ear canal, a tube that directs these sound waves toward the inner parts of the ear. The outer ear plays a crucial role in hearing by capturing sound and funneling it into the ear canal. This area also helps protect the inner ear from debris and foreign objects, ensuring that the hearing process can occur effectively.