The ear and hearing Flashcards
What are the two systems of the ear?
- Vestibular system
- Auditory system
What is the function of vestibular system in information?
Inform the brain of the position of head and body and how they are moving
Function of vestibular system
Balance
Function of auditory system info
Detect sounds
Locate them in space
Identify sound nuances
Function of auditory system
Hearing
What does pitch (tone) depend on?
Frequency
What does intensity (loudness) depend on?
Amplitude
What does timbre (quality) depend on?
Overtones
What is sound amplitude expressed in>
db
What is sound amplitude expressed in>
db
What is the auditory threshold?
0db
Auditory system pathway
Sound waves move tympanic membrane ➡
Tympanic membrane moves ossicles ➡
Ossicles move oval window membrane ➡
Movement in oval window moves fluid in cochlea ➡
Fluid in cochlea induces response in sensory neurons
Auditory system stimulus pathway
Auditory Receptors (Cochlea) ➡ Brainstem ➡ Thalamus (Medial geniculate nucleous-MGN ➡ Primary Auditory Cortex
Pressure in oval window vs tympanic membrane
Greater pressure (force/surface) in the oval window than in the tympanic membrane,
What happens after a loud sound? (attenuation reflex)
The brain will diminish hearing sensitivity by tensing the muscles → impairment of amplification system
Attenuation reflex
- Protection (delayed)
- Adaptation to loud sounds
- Not hearing our own speech
Where are malleus and stapes linked and how?
Link to skull by muscles