The Fascinating Physiology of Hearing

👂The ear is divided into three regions: outer, middle, and inner.

🌊Sound waves are collected by the outer ear, amplified in the middle ear, and converted into electrical signals in the inner ear.

🔊The hair cells on the Basilar membrane detect different frequencies of sound waves.

👥Outer hair cells amplify the traveling wave on the Basilar membrane, enhancing sensitivity and selectivity.

🧠The auditory nerve transmits electrical signals from the inner ear to the brain for further processing and interpretation.

What are the three regions of the ear?

—The three regions of the ear are the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

What is the role of the hair cells in the inner ear?

—The hair cells on the Basilar membrane detect the mechanical vibrations of sound waves and convert them into electrical signals.

Why is the traveling wave theory important?

—The traveling wave theory explains how different frequencies of sound waves are detected by the hair cells along the Basilar membrane.

What is the role of the outer hair cells?

—The outer hair cells amplify the traveling wave on the Basilar membrane, enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of the auditory system.

How are electrical signals from the inner ear transmitted to the brain?

—The auditory nerve transmits electrical signals from the inner ear to the brain, where they are processed and interpreted as sound.

00:01[Music]

00:15The ear is divided into three regions: outer, middle, and inner.

02:26The hair cells on the Basilar membrane detect different frequencies of sound waves.

03:03Outer hair cells amplify the traveling wave on the Basilar membrane, enhancing sensitivity and selectivity.

03:22The auditory nerve transmits electrical signals from the inner ear to the brain for further processing and interpretation.