<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Physics of the ear and hearing

Diagram of the human ear.

The human ear is divided into three main sections: the outer, middle, and inner ear. Let's follow the journey of a sound wave from the pinna (outermost part) to the auditory nerve (innermost part) which transmits a signal to the brain. The pinna is the part of the ear we typically think of when we refer to the ear. Its mainfunction is to collect and focus an incident sound wave. The wave then travels through the ear canal until it meets the eardrum. Thepressure fluctuations of the sound wave make the eardrum vibrate. The three very small bones of the middle ear, the malleus (hammer),the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup), transmit the signal through to the elliptical window. The elliptical window is the beginning of theinner ear. From the elliptical window the sound waves are transmitted through the liquid in the inner ear and interpreted as sounds by the brain.The inner ear, made of the semicircular canals, the cochlea, and the auditory nerve, is filled with fluid. The fluid allows the body todetect quick movements and maintain balance. The snail-shaped cochlea is covered in nerve cells. There are more than 25 000 hairlikenerve cells. Different nerve cells vibrate with different frequencies. When a nerve cell vibrates, it releases electrical impulsesto the auditory nerve. The impulses are sent to the brain through the auditory nerve and understood as sound.

Intensity of sound

Intensity is one indicator of amplitude. Intensity is the energy transmitted over a unit of area each second.

Intensity

Intensity is defined as:

Intensity = energy time × area = power area

By the definition of intensity, we can see that the units of intensity are

Joules s · m 2 = Watts m 2

The unit of intensity is the decibel (symbol: dB). This reduces to an SI equivalent of W · m - 2 .

The average threshold of hearing is 10 - 12 W · m - 2 . Below this intensity, the sound is too soft for the ear to hear. The threshold of pain is 1 . 0 W · m - 2 . Above this intensity a sound is so loud it becomes uncomfortable for the ear.

Notice that there is a factor of 10 12 between the thresholds of hearing and pain. This is one reason we define the decibel (dB) scale.

Db scale

The intensity in dB of a sound of intensity I , is given by:

β = 10 log I I o I o = 10 - 12 W · m - 2

In this way we can compress the whole hearing intensity scale into a range from 0 dB to 120 dB.

Examples of sound intensities.
Source Intensity (dB) Times greater than hearing threshold
Rocket Launch 180 10 18
Jet Plane 140 10 14
Threshold of Pain 120 10 12
Rock Band 110 10 11
Subway Train 90 10 9
Factory 80 10 8
City Traffic 70 10 7
Normal Conversation 60 10 6
Library 40 10 4
Whisper 20 10 2
Threshold of hearing 0 0

Notice that there are sounds which exceed the threshold of pain. Exposure to these sounds can cause immediate damage to hearing.In fact, exposure to sounds from 80 dB and above can damage hearing over time. Measurescan be taken to avoid damage, such as wearing earplugs or ear muffs. Limiting exposure time andincreasing distance between you and the source are also important steps for protecting your hearing.

Questions & Answers

what is microbiology
Agebe Reply
What is a cell
Odelana Reply
what is cell
Mohammed
how does Neisseria cause meningitis
Nyibol Reply
what is microbiologist
Muhammad Reply
what is errata
Muhammad
is the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms.
Ntefuni Reply
What is microbiology
Mercy Reply
studies of microbes
Louisiaste
when we takee the specimen which lumbar,spin,
Ziyad Reply
How bacteria create energy to survive?
Muhamad Reply
Bacteria doesn't produce energy they are dependent upon their substrate in case of lack of nutrients they are able to make spores which helps them to sustain in harsh environments
_Adnan
But not all bacteria make spores, l mean Eukaryotic cells have Mitochondria which acts as powerhouse for them, since bacteria don't have it, what is the substitution for it?
Muhamad
they make spores
Louisiaste
what is sporadic nd endemic, epidemic
Aminu Reply
the significance of food webs for disease transmission
Abreham
food webs brings about an infection as an individual depends on number of diseased foods or carriers dully.
Mark
explain assimilatory nitrate reduction
Esinniobiwa Reply
Assimilatory nitrate reduction is a process that occurs in some microorganisms, such as bacteria and archaea, in which nitrate (NO3-) is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), and then further reduced to ammonia (NH3).
Elkana
This process is called assimilatory nitrate reduction because the nitrogen that is produced is incorporated in the cells of microorganisms where it can be used in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen products
Elkana
Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu Reply
Give Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu
advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal Reply
Prevent foreign microbes to the host
Abubakar
they provide healthier benefits to their hosts
ayesha
They are friends to host only when Host immune system is strong and become enemies when the host immune system is weakened . very bad relationship!
Mark
what is cell
faisal Reply
cell is the smallest unit of life
Fauziya
cell is the smallest unit of life
Akanni
ok
Innocent
cell is the structural and functional unit of life
Hasan
is the fundamental units of Life
Musa
what are emergency diseases
Micheal Reply
There are nothing like emergency disease but there are some common medical emergency which can occur simultaneously like Bleeding,heart attack,Breathing difficulties,severe pain heart stock.Hope you will get my point .Have a nice day ❣️
_Adnan
define infection ,prevention and control
Innocent
I think infection prevention and control is the avoidance of all things we do that gives out break of infections and promotion of health practices that promote life
Lubega
Heyy Lubega hussein where are u from?
_Adnan
en français
Adama
which site have a normal flora
ESTHER Reply
Many sites of the body have it Skin Nasal cavity Oral cavity Gastro intestinal tract
Safaa
skin
Asiina
skin,Oral,Nasal,GIt
Sadik
How can Commensal can Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
How can Commensal Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
all
Tesfaye
by fussion
Asiina
what are the advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal
what are the ways of control and prevention of nosocomial infection in the hospital
Micheal
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Siyavula textbooks: grade 11 physical science. OpenStax CNX. Jul 29, 2011 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11241/1.2
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Siyavula textbooks: grade 11 physical science' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask