How We Hear: The Journey of Sound

Our ear is an incredible sound processing system. Here is the brief journey sound takes from the air to our brain: Catching the Vibe: Sound waves enter our ear and cause the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to vibrate. The Amplifier Chain: These vibrations are picked up by the three tiniest bones in our ear—the ossicles (Malleus, Incus and Stapes). This tiny, brilliant chain amplifies the sound and transfers the movement to the oval window. Waving the Fluid: Movement at the oval window creates waves in the fluid inside the cochlea, the snail-shaped organ of hearing. The Sensory Spark: These fluid waves stimulate thousands of delicate hair cells—the sensory receptors. These cells convert the physical motion into electrical signals. Brain Time: Finally, these electrical signals travel up the auditory nerve to our brain. Our brain interprets this neural code as the distinct sounds we hear, understand, and enjoy!

 

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