When you listen to music through headphones or hear people laughing during a friendly game of frisbee at Chandler Park, you probably don’t stop to think about how those sounds reach your brain. Let’s take a step-by-step look at the journey sound makes, how you understand it and what can get in the way.
1. Creating Sound Vibrations
Sound originates from vibrations in the air, water or solid objects. Think of someone calling your name. When they say your name, they create vibrations that move through the air.
2. Sound Waves Travel
Sound vibrations create waves that ripple outward. The closer you are and the stronger the vibrations, the louder the sound will be. If you’re too far away, the vibrations will run out of energy before reaching you, preventing you from hearing what was said.
3. Sound Waves Enter the Ear
If sound waves reach your ears, they make the eardrum vibrate. These vibrations are amplified by tiny middle-ear bones called ossicles. The outer and middle ear are the first parts that can slow or stop sound waves. If something in the middle ear blocks the sound path, you won’t hear it, a condition called conductive hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss is often due to blockages like earwax buildup, infections or fluid accumulation. In many cases, addressing the underlying cause can restore hearing.
4. The Inner Ear Processes Sound
After the middle ear amplifies sound vibrations, it sends them into the cochlea in the inner ear. The cochlea is a snail-shaped, fluid-filled organ lined with thousands of tiny hair cells. When vibrations enter the cochlea, they move the fluid inside. As the fluid moves, it stimulates the hair cells. Each hair cell is responsible for transmitting specific frequencies to the brain via the auditory nerve.
If the inner ear hearing system, including the cochlea, hair cells and auditory nerve, are damaged, they cannot effectively transmit sound to the brain. Inner ear hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss or SNHL. Common causes include aging, loud noise exposure, ototoxic medication, genetics and illness. Unlike conductive hearing loss, there is no known cure for SNHL but it can be managed with hearing aids.
When to Take Action
Hearing loss can lead to difficult communication, poor mental and emotional health, social isolation, increased risk of cognitive decline and more. Don’t wait to seek treatment. If you notice signs of hearing loss, like muffled speech or difficulty understanding children, contact Eastern Oklahoma Ear Nose and Throat – Yale Office to schedule a consultation with a specialist.