Unit 4- The Sensory System Flashcards
Who are cochlea implants suitable for?
People w/ permanent hearing loss that isn’t helped by hearing aids
How do cochlea implants work?
Turn sound into electrical signals and send them to the cochlea
What are the two parts to a cochlea implant?
A mic behind the ear that picks up the sound and sends it to the device in the skulls
A device in the skull that picks up the signals and sends them to the brain
Who isn’t suitable for cochlea implants?
People who’s auditory nerve doesn’t work
What are hearing aids?
Small electronic devices worn in the ear that make sound louder and clearer
What are the types of hearing aids?
Behind the ear hearing aids
In the ear hearing aids
In the canal hearing aids
What does the outer ear contain?
Auricle
Auditory/ear canal
Outer layer of eardrum
Define auricle
Cartilage on either sides of the head that can be seen and felt
What is the function of the auricle?
Helps gather sound waves
Where do sound waves travel to?
Down the ear canal where they strike the eardrum
What is the eardrum?
A thin membrane that separates the outer and middle ear
What does the middle ear contain?
The ossicle bones
What are the ossicle bones?
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
What is the malleus also called?
Hammer
What is the Incus also called?
Anvil
What is the stapes also called?
Stirrup
What is the function of the middle ear?
Take soundwaves and turn them into vibrations for the inner ear
How are the soundwaves converted to vibrations?
The eardrum (stretched taut) must vibrate
How are proper vibrations ensured?
Air pressure in the middle and outside ear need to be the same
What does the inner ear consist of?
Cochlea, Eustachian tube, round windows, auditory nerve, semi-circular canals
Define cochlea
Spiral cavity containing the organ of Corti
What is the function of the organ of Corti?
Produces nerve impulses in response to sound vibrations
How does the organ of Corti produce nerve impulses?
Hair cells in the organ of Corti transduce mechanical sound vibrations into nerve impulses
Stimulated when basilar membrane vibrates
What is the round window?
2nd eardrum which vibrates when vibrations enter the inner ear through the oval window
What is the function of the round window?
It allows fluid in cochlea to move, ensuring proper stimulation of the hair cells in the basilar membrane
What are the semi-circular canals?
Part of inner ear, lined with microscopic hairs and filled with fluid
What is the function of the semi-circular canals?
Motion sensor, as cilia movements are communicated to brain
What is the ampullary cupula?
Structure in the vestibular system, located in the semi-circular canals
What is the function of the ampullary cupula?
Provide spacial orientation
What is the eustachian tube?
Canal that connects middle ear to upper throat and back of nasal cavity
What is the function of the eustachian tube?
Controls middle ear pressure, making it equal to external air pressure
What is the auditory nerve?
Bundle of nerve fibres
What is the function of the auditory nerve?
Carries impulses between cochlea and brain
What is a bone conduction test?
A vibrating sensor is placed behind the ear to test how well sound travels through to ossicle bones
What is a pure tone audiometry test?
Where sounds of different volumes and frequencies are played and a button is pressed when they are heard
What are some of the treatments offered for impaired hearing?
Hearing aids Cochlea transplant Lip reading BSL Hearing loop system T
What are the three human ‘aids’ to support individuals with impaired hearing?
Advocacy
Interpreter
Signers