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Lesson 1 The Human Ear Structure and Function Lesson

The document discusses the structure and function of the human ear. It defines key concepts like sound waves, frequency, amplitude, and the audible spectrum. It describes the outer, middle and inner ear, including the pinna, ear canal, ear drum, ossicles, cochlea and auditory nerve. It explains how sound waves are captured and transmitted through the ear to the brain where they are perceived as sound.

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21 views5 pages

Lesson 1 The Human Ear Structure and Function Lesson

The document discusses the structure and function of the human ear. It defines key concepts like sound waves, frequency, amplitude, and the audible spectrum. It describes the outer, middle and inner ear, including the pinna, ear canal, ear drum, ossicles, cochlea and auditory nerve. It explains how sound waves are captured and transmitted through the ear to the brain where they are perceived as sound.

Uploaded by

عمر الفاروق عبيدية
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE Structure &

The
STRUCTURE
Function of the
& FUNCTION
Human
OF THE Ear
HUMAN EAR
Sound Waves: Definition and Properties
Definition:
• Sound waves are mechanical vibrations that propagate through a medium, typically air, but also
liquids and solids.
These waves transmit energy from one point to another, causing the sensation of sound when
they reach the ear.

• Frequency: The frequency of a sound wave refers to the number of oscillations per unit time
and is measured in Hertz (Hz).
It determines the pitch of the sound, with higher frequencies corresponding to higher pitches
and lower frequencies to lower pitches.
• Amplitude: Amplitude measures the maximum displacement of particles in the medium from
their rest position as the wave passes through.
It determines the volume or loudness of the sound, with greater amplitudes corresponding to
louder sounds.
• The human ear can generally perceive sound waves with frequencies ranging from about 20 Hz
to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). This range encompasses the audible spectrum for most individuals,
although sensitivity to high frequencies tends to decline with age.
Outer Ear Middle Ear Inner Ear

Cartilage Cochlear
Pinna Hammer
(Malleus)
Semi-circular
canals
Anvil
Tympanic (Incus)
Membrane

Auditory
Nerve

Vestibule

Ear Canal Ear Drum

Stirrup
Wax Glands (Stapes)

Eustachian
Tube
How Do We Hear?
Sound waves are Vibrations of the ear
funnelled into our The sound waves drum cause the 3 small
ear canal by the make our ear bones in the ear,
pinna. drum vibrate. collectively called the
ossicles, to move.

The hairs in the


cochlear are
These waves As the last bone in the
tuned to respond
stimulate chain, the stapes,
to differences in
microscopic hairs vibrates this causes
sound frequency
inside the wave like movements to
and pitch.
cochlear. be generated in the fluid
inside the cochlear.
When stimulated
these hair cells
generate nerve
impulses that are
transferred to the The nerve impulses The auditory
auditory nerve. travel along the cortex converts
auditory nerve into the nerve
the hearing centre impulses into the
of the brain, called sound that we
the auditory cortex. hear.
Video Resources
• Cognito video Physics #73 from

• TedED Science of Hearing

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