The Hearing Process Explained for Patients in Michigan
When you think about our body’s ability to translate noise into sound we can comprehend, it’s rather incredible. The system is complex and intricate, so the hearing experts at Hear Michigan Centers put together an overview of the hearing mechanism, explaining how the auditory system functions. When sound waves travel through the middle and inner ear, your brain uses the signals to comprehend information and communicate with the world. We’re happy to answer further questions about the hearing process and provide additional information about our comprehensive hearing care services for patients throughout Michigan. Contact Hear Michigan Centers today to learn more or schedule a one-on-one consultation with a trusted provider.
The Human Ear Anatomy
The ear is the organ responsible for hearing and balance. It consists of a cavity in the skull structure that’s lined with soft tissue. Within this cavity, there are three distinctive spaces filled with air or liquid (the external, middle, and inner parts of the ear). The ear’s different parts and functions are explained in more detail below.
External (Outer) Ear
The external or outer part of the ear consists of:
- The pinna or auricle, which is the outside part of the ear
- External auditory canal or tube, which connects the outer ear to the inside or middle ear
Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)
The tympanic membrane, called the eardrum, divides the external ear from the middle ear.It comprises a thin layer of skin that stretches tight like a drum and vibrates when sound hits it. The vibrations move the tiny bones of the middle ear, which send vibrations to the inner ear.
Middle Ear
The middle ear(tympanic cavity), consists of:
- Three small bones called ossicles that are connected to the eardrum and transmit sound waves to the inner ear
- The eustachian tube, which links the middle ear with the back of the nose and helps equalize the pressure in the middle ear
Inner Ear
The inner ear functions consist of the following:
- The cochlea, whichcontains the nerves for hearing
- The vestibule,which has receptorsfor balance
- Semicircular canals that receptors for balance
How Sound Waves Enter the Ear
The funnel-like shape of your ear is well-engineered for receiving and processing sound. As sound hits the pinna or outer part of your ear, it filters and amplifies sound waves and sends them into the ear canal. Next, the sound waves hit the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, setting it in motion. The eardrum is a paper-thin membrane layer that vibrates when sound waves hit it. These vibrations are sent further along into the inner part of the ear, where the sounds are processed into information by your brain.
How Sound Moves Through the Middle Ear
The middle ear is directly behind the eardrum and attached to a chain of three small bones known as the ossicles. These three bones, the smallest ones in your body, are set into motion when sound waves hit your eardrum.
The bone directly attached to the eardrum is called the malleus or “the hammer,” which is connected to the incus or “the anvil” at its other end. The incusis attached to the stapes (the “stirrup” or “footplate”). The stapes, the last bone, is connected to the oval window, a membrane separating the middle ear from the inner ear.These three bones function as a lever, amplifying sound as it moves from the tympanic membrane to the small oval window.
How Sound Moves Through the Inner Ear (Cochlea)
Vibrations from the stapes put pressure on the oval window and set up pressure waves in the fluid-filled cochlea, a part of the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti, or “spiral organ.” In the organ of Corti, hair cells known as stereocilia transmit vibrations into electrical energy.
Different frequencies can stimulate the tiny hair cells lining the cochlea. For example, some people with high-frequency hearing loss have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds clearly.This means the hair cells that are responsible for detecting high-frequency sound are damaged. It’s less common, but some people have low-frequency or mid-range hearing loss. Most people are born with around 16,000 of these tiny hair cells. Once they’re destroyed, they can’t be repaired, so wearing custom hearing protection in noisy environments and scheduling regular hearing evaluations with a trusted provider is essential.
Neurological Aspects of Hearing
How your brain processes the sound involves sensory neurons transmitting sound information to various areas of the brain, including the thalamus, temporal lobe, and auditory cortex, known as the auditory pathways. These pathways process and decode sounds, turning them into something meaningful you can comprehend, like music or a question. They also help you distinguish between important sounds and background noise, process the direction and location of sounds, and assist with your ability to balance.
Contact Hear Michigan Centers Today to Learn More
Hearing depends on a series of complex processes and steps that turn sound waves into electrical signals we understand. At Hear Michigan Centers, we pride ourselves on our commitment to ongoing education within the hearing healthcare community. We want our patients to feel empowered when addressing their hearing loss needs and taking control of their health. Our team has years of experience taking a comprehensive approach to hearing healthcare for our patients throughout Michigan.Contact us today to learn more about the anatomy of the human ear, or schedule an appointment online for acomprehensive hearing evaluation at your convenience.
