Chapt 16: Ears

Question 1

What are the bones in the ear?

Answer 1

malleus, incus, and stapes

Question 2

What separates the external and middle ear?

Answer 2

the tympanic membrane (TM).

Question 3

What are the functions of the middle ear?

Answer 3

(1) it conducts sound vibrations from the outer ear to the central hearing apparatus in the inner ear

(2) it protects the inner ear by reducing the amplitude of loud sounds

(3) its eustachian tube allows equalization of air pressure on each side of the tympanic membrane so the membrane does not rupture

Question 4

Difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 4

• conductive hearing loss involves a mechanical dysfunction of the external or middle ear.
• perceptive loss signifies pathology of the inner ear, cranial nerve VIII, or the auditory areas of the cerebral cortex.

Question 5

What is tinnitus?

Answer 5

perception of sound without an external; it occurs with sensorineural hearing loss, cerumen impaction, middle ear infection, and other ear disorders.