Toby Jugs*

Having large ears helps when you want early notification of the need for a quick getaway. The size of the ears relative to the rest of the body reflects the young animals' vulnerability to predators.

Scientists tell us that ear size is not as important as what goes on inside the ear. But big ears do help. As someone with mild hearing loss I sometimes remove my hearing aid and cup hands behind my ears. The result is often better, and a more natural sound. So that's a thought for those who dream of redesigning the human body: should we evolve ears that get bigger as we get older?

* Rhyming slang