How the Sense of Hearing Works

the human ear is much more than the odd-shaped pendant that we hang our glasses and earrings on. It is a complex system that changes sound waves into mechanical energy and then into fluid energy, and finally into electrical energy.

the human ear is divided into three parts, which are known as the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. outer ear consists of the ear, the visible part, and the ear canal. The division of the outer and middle ear is the tympanum, or tympanic membrane or eardrum. This is a delicate, hard-stretched, pearly-gray membrane that vibrates when sound waves are delivered through the ear canal.

of the middle ear is the second part of the ear. It is a cavity that houses a chain of three tiny bones. These bones are called the hammer or a hammer, anvil, or "anvil" and the stapes or stirrup. "These bones are named for objects they resemble. foot hammer rests on the eardrum, and picks up sound vibrations from the eardrum movement. hammer is connected to the anvil, which in turn is connected to the stapes. stapes foot rests on a structure called the oval window. stapes delivers sound to the window and moving out like a piston.

The third part of the human ear is the inner ear. It's part designed for deaf and components designed for the balance. cochlea, which is a section dedicated to the discussion, a structure that looks something like a snail shell. oval window is located above the wall of the cochlea. cochlea is a fluid-filled and contains a membrane that is attached to the hair like nerve endings in the "hearing" of the nerve, or eighth cranial nerve.

But how all this works? As we hear, really?

earlobe and ear canal funnel sound waves to the eardrum. eardrum vibrates in response to sounds, setting in motion the bones of the middle ear. As a third foot bone moves in and out of the oval window, the vibrations create waves in the cochlea fluid - something like a falling stone in the pond and beyond. membrane inside the cochlea moves in response to vibrations and stimulating hair like nerve endings. nerve endings send impulses to the brain for interpretation.

As you can see, the chain system to deliver sound information to the brain becomes more complex as it moves inward toward the brain.

There are many conditions that can reduce the hearing. Some of these conditions to prevent or disrupt the sound waves from reaching the cochlea, causing what is called conductive hearing loss. Conditions that prevent or hinder the transmission of sound in the inner ear and the outside cause what is called a neural or sensorineural hearing loss.

In future articles, learn how to hearing aids and cochlear implants work and what the results might not be possible with these devices.

If you or someone you know has hearing loss, there are many resources available. For ancillary equipment, technology devices, a deaf products, click on the link in my resource box.