How do we hear?
Hearing is one of the main sensory functions in humans. It allows us to navigate our surroundings and to know and communicate with other people. The most important organ of hearing is the ear. It receives the sounds that change every moment in our environment and transmits them to the brain.
The ear does a wonderful and very complex job. It can distinguish between 7,000 different tones and allows the brain to find the source of the sound. When it comes to the ears, many people only think of the part of them that we can see. This includes the ear shell and the ear canal. However, the ear is so much more. The human ear has three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.
Parts of the human ear:
- External. The visible part of the outer ear picks up sound and directs it into the external auditory canal – the ear canal towards the eardrum.
- Middle. In the middle ear, the eardrum is connected to three auditory ossicles that amplify and transmit vibrations to the inner ear.
- Internal. The inner ear has two parts: the cochlea, which converts sound vibrations into electrical impulses, and the vestibular system, which maintains our balance.
How do we hear?
In the hearing process, many parts of the ear work together to convert sound waves into information that the brain can understand. To understand the nature of hearing loss, it is important to understand the principles of how the hearing organ works.
- Sound travelling through the air first reaches the earlobe, which directs the sound further into the external auditory meatus. After passing through the eardrum, the sound enters the external auditory meatus.
- The sound, which vibrates the eardrum, transmits a mechanical impulse to the circuit of the auditory pips.
- The auditory ossicles move the fluids of the inner ear.
- A mechanical sound wave reaching the inner ear fluid causes the membrane on which the hair cells are located to vibrate.
- This excites the hair cells, which convert mechanical sound energy into an electrochemical signal.
- The signal travels via the auditory nerve to the hearing centre in the brain, where it is perceived as sound.
Causes of hearing loss
Most often, hearing problems are associated with the ageing process, when degeneration of the inner ear structures occurs over time, but hearing problems can occur much earlier. Hearing problems can be accelerated by recurrent ear diseases such as ear infections, overuse or genetic diseases, environmental effects such as exposure to prolonged noise and medication.
What can you do to protect your hearing?
Have your hearing checked regularly
One of the most important things you can do for your hearing is to have a hearing test and get the treatment you need in time. A hearing care professional will examine your hearing/your current situation and suggest a solution that best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Cutting-edge hearing aids for the hearing impaired
Modern hearing aids give the hearing-impaired person back a wide world of sounds and a full life.
Frequently asked questions
How does hearing work?
In the hearing process, many parts of the ear work together to convert sound waves into information that the brain can understand. Sound first travels through the air to the outer ear, then travels to the middle ear, where three auditory ossicles amplify the sound vibrations. Hair cells in the inner ear convert the mechanical energy of the sound into an electrochemical signal. The signal travels via the auditory nerve to the hearing centre in the brain, where it is perceived as sound.
Why is your hearing impaired?
Most often, hearing problems are associated with the ageing process, where degeneration of the inner ear structures occurs over time. Hearing problems can also be accelerated by ear infections, overuse or genetic diseases, environmental effects such as exposure to prolonged noise and medication.
Why is it important to protect your hearing?
Hearing is one of the main sensory functions in humans. It allows us to navigate our surroundings, get to know and communicate with other people, and protects us from environmental hazards. We recommend that you consult a hearing care professional periodically to ensure that your hearing is preserved to the maximum extent possible, thus avoiding more severe cases of hearing loss and stress.
