Physics of the Ear Essay examples - 1528 Words

Physics of the Ear The ear is an extraordinary human organ that many people take for granted until it doesn’t function. It is the only device that allows the human to hear sounds in their environment. The ear is made up of many parts that distinguish various sounds through different means. The ear anatomy and physiology along with how sound waves are transmitted into meaningful sounds will help one understand how hearing loss occurs. The ear is made up of three areas: the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear is very important for collecting sound waves. It is made up of the pinna and the ear canal. The pinna, the actual physical outward appearance of the ear, receives sound waves and begins to funnel them into the ear canal.†¦show more content†¦Basically how sound travels through the ear is a process of many steps. The sound waves are gathered by the pinna and then funneled into the meatus. Those waves then begin to vibrate the tympanic membrane which in turn hits against the malleus. The ossicle bones then vibrate like a chain reaction. The footplate will hit the oval window which triggers the fluid in the cochlea to move. The movement sways across the different hair cells creating impulses that are sent to the brain through the eighth cranial nerve. The interesting question is how waves can become meaningful sounds. First off we must know that sound is a wave. It is impossible for sound to be a particle or atom because if it was a particle the two different sounds would eventually collide and if sound was an atom one sound would deflect another and neither one of these situations ever happens. A characteristic of sound is that different sounds pass through one another, for example, a sound and its echo. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that sound is a form of wave. Sound is molecules vibrating back and forth creating what we call a longitudinal wave. However, very few times do we consider sound as flow of power yet that is exactly what it is. It is a power that flows through the air steadily. The speed at which it travels depends on the temperature and theShow MoreRelated The Physics of the Sound Wave and its Effects on the Human Ear1341 Words   |  6 PagesThe Physics of the Sound Wave and its Effects on the Human Ear Could you imagine living in a world without sound? It would be enormously different from the world that we know. Our primary form of inter-human communication would be based on visual or tactile imagery. Our sense of perception would be changed. Telecommunication would be different. We would not have the pleasure of music or the soothing sounds of nature. Sound has had an immense impact on our world. This essay will explore the unseenRead More Sound Waves Essay1607 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is a sound wave? A sound wave is produced by a mechanical vibration, such as a tuning fork. 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