The tensor tympani is attached to the malleus bone, while the stapedius is connected to the stapes bone.

The muscles improve auditory perception and protect the inner ear from potentially damaging sounds. When there is a loud sound, the muscles tense via the reflex arc. When the muscles tense, the chain of ossicles transmit less energy, causing the vibration of sounds transmitted to the inner ear to be reduced. Self-made sounds are also reduced, which means the sound of our moving head, swallowing motions, or voice are dampened to the levels most people are used to. The muscles activate moments before we produce self-made sounds such as coughing.