The anatomy of the ear and how it turns sound waves into information How do we hear? The anatomy of the ear and how it turns sound waves into information

Outer Ear 3 main parts Pinna: “wing” the outer portion of the ear that helps collect sound waves Lobule: commonly referred to as the ear lobe External ear canal: funnels sound from the environment to the middle and inner ear

Middle Ear This includes the 3 bones of the ear and the ear drum Its main job is to help send vibrations to the nerve inside of the ear

Ear Bones The ear is home to the three smallest bones in the body From outside to inside their names are the malleus, incus and stapes The malleus is attached to the ear drum and vibrates when sound waves enter the ear The incus relays the vibrations from the malleus to the stapes The stapes is the smallest bone in the human body When the stapes moves is triggers the movement of the fluid in the inner ear

Inner Ear The cochlea, semicircular canals and cochlear nerve The cochlea is a snail shaped organ that acts as a microphone for the ear The semicircular canals help us to maintain balance The cochlear nerve sends the amplified wave from the cochlea to the brain where it is translated into a sound (what we actually hear)

The Cochlea Inside the cochlea is a complex series of panels and hair fibers Each sound moves a different set of hair fibers The hair fibers send the message to the nerve and the brain Each change in pitch and volume triggers a new reaction inside the cochlea

Lets put it together

Video How do we hear?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeFRkAYb1 uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odq7W2u2 Xj8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZxLUNHE mPw