Summary

Objectives

  • Being able to name the structures of the ear.
  • Being able to explain how hearing works.
  • Understanding how hearing can be damaged by loud noises.

Summary

  • The earlobe collects sounds. Sound waves travel along the ear canal to the eardrum.
  • Sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate.
  • The ossicles transmit vibration to the cochlea of the inner ear.
  • The hair cells of the cochlea are stimulated by the vibration.
  • The resulting impulses travel along the auditory nerve into the auditory area of the brain.
  • The sensation of hearing is created in the brain.
  • Keywords: outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, eardrum, cochlea, hearing.