Ear anatomy, function, and sound processing

What is the main function of the basilar membrane

Acts as a sound analyzer

How is the basilar membrane organized?

Tonotopically

What does tonotopically mean?

How do different parts of the ear and brain respond to different sound frequencies

The base of the basilar membrane is

Narrow and stiff

What apex of the basilar membrane is

Wide and flaccid

The base of the cochlea responds best to

High-frequency sounds

Damage to the basilar membrane or hair cells from loud noise is

Irreversible

How are hearing aids different from eyeglasses?

The hearing system is more complicated, so hearing aids can’t fully correct hearing

Which of the following can cause hearing loss?

Loud noise, disease, aging, and medications

In which animals do auditory hair cells regenerate?

Fish and birds

Why is the inner ear not easily accessible?

It needs to be protected

What method do Dr. Hume and his colleagues use to access cells in the inner ear?

Gene therapy

Seismic testing underwater is an example of

Underwater noise

What part of the brain processes sound information?

Primary auditory cortex

How is the primary auditory cortex organized

Tonotopically

Which part of the ear contains the ossicles

Middle ear

Outer hair cells are found in which part of the ear?

Inner ear

The pinna belongs to which section of the ear?

Outer ear

The Eustachian tube is part of the

Middle ear

What fills a healthy middle ear cavity?

Air