Hearing: Difference between revisions

General Information
Latin	Auditus
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System	Auditory system
Artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function	Sense of sound
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

Newer edit →

Revision as of 13:27, 13 August 2024

Hearing is the ability to perceive sound by detecting vibrations through an organ such as the ear. It is one of the major senses of humans and many animals. Hearing is crucial for communication, learning, and navigation.

Mechanism

Hearing involves the complex process of sound wave propagation, which is captured by the ear and converted into electrical signals that are interpreted by the brain. The primary components of the auditory system include the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, and the auditory pathways in the brain.

Outer Ear

The outer ear consists of the pinna and the ear canal. Its primary function is to capture sound waves and funnel them into the ear canal.

Middle Ear

The middle ear contains three bones known as the ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These bones help to amplify and transmit the sound vibrations from the ear drum to the inner ear.

Inner Ear

The inner ear contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled tube. It is lined with thousands of tiny hair cells that convert the vibrations into electrical signals.

Auditory Pathways

The electrical signals are then transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain, particularly to the auditory cortex, where they are interpreted as sound.

Function

Hearing enables individuals to detect sounds of varying frequencies and intensities. It allows for the recognition of speech, music, and environmental sounds, playing a crucial role in communication and alertness to surroundings.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can result from damage to any part of the auditory system and can vary in severity. It is categorized into conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss. Factors contributing to hearing loss include genetics, aging, exposure to loud noise, infections, and certain medications.

Prevention and Treatment

Preventative measures include avoiding exposure to loud noises, using protective ear equipment, and regular hearing check-ups. Treatment options vary depending on the cause and severity of hearing loss and may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and surgical interventions.

Cultural and Social Aspects

Hearing is integral to many cultural practices, including music and language. Societies have developed sign languages and other communication methods to support individuals with hearing loss.

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-'''Hearing''' is one of the five [[sensory system|senses]]. The [[ear]]s are used for detecting (listening to) [[vibration]]s in the [[air]] known as [[sound]]s. Most [[animal]]<nowiki/>s can hear. Most land [[vertebrate]]<nowiki/>s hear through [[ear]]<nowiki/>s. [[Fish]] hear in several different ways. Many use their [[swim bladder]] to hear, and many use their [[lateral line]].
+{{Infobox Anatomy
-[[File:Ear-anatomy-text-small-en.svg|alt=Anatomy of the ear|thumb|Anatomy of the ear]]
+| Name = Hearing
+| Latin = Auditus
+| Image =
+| Caption =
+| System = [[Auditory system]]
+| Function = Sense of sound
+}}
-<youtube>
+'''Hearing''' is the ability to perceive [[sound]] by detecting vibrations through an organ such as the [[ear]]. It is one of the major senses of humans and many animals. Hearing is crucial for [[communication]], [[learning]], and [[navigation]].
-title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''
-movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/qgdqp-oPb1Q
-&rel=1
-embed_source_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/qgdqp-oPb1Q
-&rel=1
-wrap = yes
-width=750
-height=600
-</youtube>
-== Human ear ==
+==Mechanism==
-In [[humans]]s, sound travels through three main parts of the ear to be heard. These are the outer, middle and inner ear.
+Hearing involves the complex process of sound wave propagation, which is captured by the ear and converted into electrical signals that are interpreted by the [[brain]]. The primary components of the auditory system include the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, and the auditory pathways in the brain.
-*Outer Ear - This is the part of the ear that we can see called the [[pinna]] as well as the inside of the ear called the [[ear canal]]. Sound first travels through the pinna and ear canal then to the [[eardrum]] at the end of the canal which the sound makes vibrate.
-*Middle Ear - Sound continues to travel deeper into the ear and is helped by three of the smallest bones in the body - hammer, anvil and stirrup - to reach the inner ear.
-*[[Inner ear|Inner Ear]] - Here the sound reaches a small tube shaped like a snail shell, called the ''[[cochlea]]''. Inside the cochlea is a fluid, which moves tiny hairs that send signals to the brain which interprets sounds for you to understand and hear
-[[File:Testing hearing protection devices using artificial head fixtures.jpg|alt=Testing hearing protection devices using artificial head fixtures|thumb|Testing hearing protection devices using artificial head fixtures]]
-== How does hearing work? ==
-* The outer ear collects sound waves and works like a funnel to send them through a narrow tube (ear canal) that leads inside the ear.
-* At the end of the ear canal is the ear drum (tympanic membrane).
-* The tympanic membrane is a thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves strike it.
-* It divides the area called the outer ear from the middle ear.
-* It is attached to a set of three tiny bones in the middle ear.
-* These bones are called the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and the stirrup (stapes).
-* The bones pass the vibrations of sound waves to a small organ in the hearing part of the inner ear called the cochlea, which is a coiled structure like a snail shell.
-* The inner ear is filled with a thin fluid that transmits pressure changes throughout the cochlea.
-* Inside the cochlea are tiny hair cells that pick up sound vibrations from the fluid and cause nerve impulses in the auditory nerve.
-* The auditory nerve carries the message to the brain, where it is interpreted as sound
-{{Sensation and perception}}
+===Outer Ear===
-{{Auditory and vestibular systems}}
+The outer ear consists of the pinna and the ear canal. Its primary function is to capture sound waves and funnel them into the ear canal.
-{{Authority control}}
+===Middle Ear===
+The middle ear contains three bones known as the [[ossicles]]: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These bones help to amplify and transmit the sound vibrations from the ear drum to the inner ear.
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Hearing (Sense)}}
+===Inner Ear===
-[[Category:Hearing| ]]
+The inner ear contains the [[cochlea]], a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled tube. It is lined with thousands of tiny hair cells that convert the vibrations into electrical signals.
-[[Category:Sound]]
-[[Category:Audiology]]
-[[Category:Auditory system]]
-{{stub}}
+===Auditory Pathways===
+The electrical signals are then transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain, particularly to the auditory cortex, where they are interpreted as sound.
-[[Category:Basic English 850 words]]
+==Function==
-[[Category:Hearing| ]]
+Hearing enables individuals to detect sounds of varying frequencies and intensities. It allows for the recognition of speech, music, and environmental sounds, playing a crucial role in communication and alertness to surroundings.
-[[Category:Perception]]
+==Hearing Loss==
+[[Hearing loss]] can result from damage to any part of the auditory system and can vary in severity. It is categorized into conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss. Factors contributing to hearing loss include genetics, aging, exposure to loud noise, infections, and certain medications.
+==Prevention and Treatment==
+Preventative measures include avoiding exposure to loud noises, using protective ear equipment, and regular hearing check-ups. Treatment options vary depending on the cause and severity of hearing loss and may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and surgical interventions.
+==Cultural and Social Aspects==
+Hearing is integral to many cultural practices, including music and language. Societies have developed sign languages and other communication methods to support individuals with hearing loss.
+==See Also==
+* [[Audiology]]
+* [[Deaf culture]]
+* [[Ear anatomy]]
+* [[Sound]]
+* [[Speech perception]]
+[[Category:Sensory system]]
+[[Category:Hearing]]
+{{medicine-stub}}