Week 2 Forum

Upon viewing the video on the Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing (the link can be found in the syllabus), describe the structure of the ear, focusing on the role that each component plays in transmitting the vibrations that enter the outer ear to the auditory receptors in the inner ear. Then, discuss the basic difference between determining the location of a sound source and determining the location of the visual object. Lastly, discuss the differences a person may experience in hearing when living in the city versus a rural environment. Support your belief and use specific examples.

 

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Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing

Introduction

The ear is an organ that allows you to hear and balance. It’s also one of the most complicated parts of your body, but it can help protect you from noise and disease if treated properly. In this article we’ll discuss how the auditory system works—from outer ear through inner ear—and what causes hearing loss. We’ll also cover some common causes for hearing loss, including injury or infection, aging, genetics and more!

The ear is an organ that allows you to hear and balance.

The ear is an organ that allows you to hear and balance. It consists of three parts: the outer part called the pinna, the middle part called the cochlea, and finally the inner part called the inner ear.

The pinna is shaped like a green parrot’s beak with little feathers sticking out of it. The purpose of these feathers is to enhance your hearing by helping you focus sound waves in certain directions so that they can enter your ears better than if there were no feathers present at all.

The auditory system, which consists of the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, collects information from sounds in the world outside your body.

The auditory system, which consists of the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear, collects information from sounds in the world outside your body. It then relays this information to your brain for processing.

The outer ear collects sound waves from outside air via hair cells that respond to pressure changes caused by sound waves traveling through air. These hairs are attached to sensory cells in our cochlea (the snail-shaped area inside each semicircular canal), which send electrical signals along nerve fibers as they travel up toward our brains so that we can understand what we’re hearing better than if we didn’t have such good hearing at all!

The auditory system works with the nervous system to help you understand what you are hearing.

The auditory system works with the nervous system to help you understand what you are hearing. The ear is made up of three parts:

• Outer ear (pinna)

• Middle ear (tympanic membrane)

• Inner ear, which contains cochlea, vestibular apparatus and semicircular canals

Your brain processes sound by using precise timing of nerve signals.

Sound travels from the outer ear to the inner ear. The auditory nerve carries sound signals from the inner ear to the brain. The brain processes these signals by using precise timing of nerve impulses, which are generated by tiny parts called neurons in your inner ears (the cochlea and vestibular apparatus). This allows you to hear sounds and understand what they mean.

You can also process other sensory information, such as vision and touch—but it’s not quite so easy for these senses because there isn’t enough space or time for them all at once!

The auditory system uses precise timing of nerve signals to process sounds.

The auditory system uses precise timing of nerve signals to process sounds. The outer ear converts sound waves into electrical signals that are sent through the middle ear and then into your inner ear where they travel through pathways to the brain.

The auditory system consists of three parts:

• Outer Ear – collects information about external sources of sounds, such as speech or music (auditory receptor cells)

• Middle Ear – converts mechanical vibrations of air molecules into electrical impulses that are transmitted via fluid within a snail-shaped cochlea in each inner ear canal (sensory hair cells)

• Inner Ear – organelles containing hair cells that convert electrical impulses from these sensory hairs into nerve signals which travel along nerves to other parts of our bodies (nerve fibers).

When damage occurs to one or more parts of the auditory system, it can result in hearing loss.

When damage occurs to one or any of the following parts of the auditory system, it can result in hearing loss:

• Outer ear. This part of your inner ear is responsible for balance and equilibrium. It contains three bones: an inner ear bone called the cochlea, which helps us hear; a middle ear bone called the pinna (which helps protect our ears from wind); and an outermost membrane called the auricle (which connects to other parts of our body). If you have damaged your outer ear due to trauma or disease, this will affect how well you hear things like loud noises and high frequencies.

• Middle ear. The middle ears contain two small bones called ossicles (ossicones), which are connected via ligaments with other components such as mastoids or tympanic membranes that cover them when they’re not being used as organs; another cavity containing fluid known as perilymph; and finally eardrum that vibrates when sound waves enter through airwaves hitting it at different speeds depending upon where they come from

Hearing loss can occur gradually or suddenly.

Hearing loss can occur gradually or suddenly.

• Aging: As you age, your hearing becomes less sensitive. The change is usually gradual and may occur more quickly in some people than others.

• Loud noise exposure: If you’re exposed to loud noises at work or during recreational activities (such as concerts), this may cause temporary hearing loss that goes away within days or weeks after the exposure ends.[2] However, permanent damage is possible if there’s prolonged exposure to loud sounds over time.[3]

• Certain medical conditions: Some people experience sudden hearing loss as a result of an ear infection called labyrinthitis; others develop this condition after having surgery on their ears (ototoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides can cause it).[4]

It’s complicated, but take care of your ears!

The ear is a delicate organ. It’s important to take care of your ears by getting regular hearing checks, avoiding loud noises and smoking, alcohol, caffeine and loud music.

Conclusion

You’re probably wondering why I’ve been talking about all this science, but the answer is simple: you need to take care of your ears! There are many different kinds of hearing loss, and they can occur gradually or suddenly. If left untreated, hearing loss can cause serious problems with communication and understanding. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken by both doctors and patients at home to help restore normal function in those with hearing impairment.