What are the mechanisms of hearing?

The mechanism of hearing. Sound waves enter the outer ear and travel through the external auditory canal until they reach the tympanic membrane, causing the membrane and the attached chain of auditory ossicles to vibrate.

What part of the ear controls hearing and balance?

The inner ear is composed of two parts: the cochlea for hearing and the vestibular system for balance. The vestibular system is made up of a network of looped tubes, three in each ear, called the semicircular canals. They loop off a central area called the vestibule.

What is the physiology of balance?

The vestibular system is the sensory apparatus of the inner ear that helps the body maintain its postural equilibrium. The information furnished by the vestibular system is also essential for coordinating the position of the head and the movement of the eyes.

What are the 4 steps of hearing?

How humans hear

  • Step 1: Sound waves enter the ear. When a sound occurs, it enters the outer ear, also referred to as the pinna or auricle.
  • Step 2: Sound moves through the middle ear. Behind the eardrum is the middle ear.
  • Step 3: Sound moves through the inner ear (the cochlea)
  • Step 4: Your brain interprets the signal.

What is the connection between hearing and balance?

The balance system of the body is dependent on the labyrinth covered by bone and fluids in the inner ear holding the semi-circular canals, the otolithic tissues, and the cochlea. As the cochlea is employed for hearing, the canals are important for ensuring balance.

Where is balance controlled?

And while your balance system engages several parts of your brain, the main part of the brain that controls balance is the cerebellum. Science American explains that the cerebellum – sometimes quaintly known as the “little brain“ – is located at the very back of your skull.

How do the semicircular canals help you keep your balance?

When your head moves around, the liquid inside the semicircular canals sloshes around and moves the tiny hairs that line each canal. These hairs translate the movement of the liquid into nerve messages that are sent to your brain. Your brain then can tell your body how to stay balanced.

What is responsible for balance in the brain?

The brain stem and cerebellum are important junctions in the control of balance as they co -ordinate information from the vestibular system, the cerebral cortex, muscles and joints in order to make adjustments to body movements and balance control.

What part of brain affects balance?

cerebellum
The cerebellum sits at the back of the brain and controls your sense of balance.

What is the pathway of sound to the brain?

Auditory messages are conveyed to the brain via two types of pathway: the primary auditory pathway which exclusively carries messages from the cochlea, and the non-primary pathway (also called the reticular sensory pathway) which carries all types of sensory messages.