1. The Inner Ear – Structure and Function
By Mr. Bleecker and his Cat

2. Structure of the Ear

3. designed to gather and collect sound into the ear canal
Outer Ear = Pinna
designed to gather and collect sound into the ear canal

4. Middle Ear – the Auditory Canal
Channels the sound toward the EAR DRUM

5. Middle Ear – the Ear Drum is actually called the “TYMPANIC MEMBRANE”
Sound waves = vibrations
HAMMER hits ANVIL moving the STIRRUP!

6. What Happens Next? Sound waves travel into the SPIRALLED COCHLEA
Tiny hairs in the COCHLEA move to the beat, and send impulses along nerve fibres
All nerve fibres link to the AUDITORY NERVE, to the brain.

7. Inside the COCHLEA!
Eustacian Tube

8. Detectable Sound Levels – What can the Machinery Pick UP?

9. What Frequencies can we Hear?Hz
– Hz

10. Appearance of a Sound Wave

12. Detectable Sound Levels – What can be Heard?

13. Sound Wave Production
Levels of Intensity
Soft (Low)
Harsh(High)

14. Defeating Deafness – Cochlear Implants
The implant generates electric signals as the sound bounces off detector
Vibrations = electricity
Electricity stimulates the AUDITORY NERVE directly

15. Protect your Hearing!
Ear plugs
Ear – muffs
Keep the volume down

16. Spidey knows the Value of Protecting Your Hearing!

17. Copy out these notes
Pinna = outer portion of ear used to collect sound waves
Auditory Canal = tube that sound travels down
Ear Drum = membrane that sends sound waves to hammer
Hammer = first of 3 bones. It vibrates, striking the anvil to carry on the sound
Anvil = gets hit by the hammer, striking the Stirrup
Stirrup = vibrates against OVAL WINDOW, carrying on sound
Cochlea = a spiral full of sensory “hairs,” which when bent, send an electrical signal to the AUDITORY NERVE
Auditory Nerve = carries all signals for sound to brain
SemiCircular Canals = full of gel-like material. Indicates if you are right side up or upside down. (Balance)