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Three Parts:
Inner ear
Middle ear
Outer ear
Function of the
Outer Ear
Eardrum
Middle Ear
Consists primarily of the bone chain of the three ossicles: the hammer, the
anvil, and the stirrup.
These bones amplify the vibrations coming from the eardrum and transmit to
the fluid of the inner ear.
Muscles attached to the ossicles help to limit the vibrations of very large-
amplitude continuous sounds.
Sharp noises such as gunshots or loud music may occur too quickly for the
protective mechanism to prevent damage to the middle ear.
Cochlea
Oval and
Round
Window
The organ of Corti
Inner Ear and Balance
Inside the inner ear are three semicircular canals. Each canal
contains tiny hairs, crystals, and fluid. These structures help the
canals sense up-and-down, forward and backward, and side-to-
side motion. Nerves carry the signals from the canals to the brain.
Place Theory of Hearing
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/place.html
Anatomy of the Ear
Sound enters the ear, travels through the auditory canal,
and reaches the eardrum. The auditory canal is
approximately a tube open at only one end. The other end
is closed by the eardrum. A typical length for the auditory
canal in an adult is about 3 cm. The speed of sound is 343
m/s. What is the fundamental frequency of the canal?
(Interestingly, the fundamental frequency is in the
frequency range where human hearing is most sensitive.)
Amplitude Response of the Ear
Human Ear and Sensitivity
Normal conversation
3.2 10-6 65
(1 meter)