Human Ear

Structure of Human Ear

Sound is produced by the vibrations of a source, causing the air around it to vibrate. These vibrations spread in all directions as sound waves. The sound waves travel through the air and reach our ears. Inside the ear, the eardrum (a delicate diaphragm) begins to vibrate in response to the sound waves. These vibrations are converted into signals and sent to the brain through nerves. The brain interprets these signals, allowing us to perceive and hear the sound.

Our ears allow us to receive audible frequencies in our surroundings. Then they convert these sounds into electrical signals, which are then passed through a special nerve called the auditory nerve to our brain. The brain interprets these signals and responds accordingly.

1. Pinna: The outer part of the ear that gathers sound from the environment.
2. Auditory Canal: Sound collected from the surroundings passes through the Auditory Canal.
3. Eardrum or Tympanic Membrane: It is located at the end of the auditory canal. The eardrum, when receiving a compression, moves inwards because of increased pressure. Similarly, when it receives refraction, it moves outwards due to a decrease in pressure. As a result, it starts to vibrate inwards and outwards on receiving a sound wave.
4. The Middle Ear: It consists of three bones (hammer, anvil and stirrup). These bones amplify the vibrations produced by the eardrum. The middle ear then passes these vibrations on to the inner ear.
5. Cochlea: It is located in the inner ear. It transforms the vibrations into electrical signals, which the auditory nerve then transmits to the brain.