{"id":419,"date":"2023-03-02T20:16:42","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T20:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/hearing\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T18:36:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T18:36:37","slug":"hearing","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/hearing\/","title":{"raw":"The Auditory System: Learn It 1\u2014Anatomy of the Ear","rendered":"The Auditory System: Learn It 1\u2014Anatomy of the Ear"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Describe the anatomy of the auditory system<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Understand how sound waves shape our hearing<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Explain how we perceive pitch and localize sound<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Describe types of hearing loss<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2 data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"376\"><strong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"376\">The Auditory System: How We Hear<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p>Our auditory system transforms vibrations in the air into the meaningful sounds of speech, music, and the environment. This process allows us to appreciate language, rhythm, and even the quiet rustle of leaves. Let\u2019s explore the anatomy of the ear, how sound becomes a neural signal, how we perceive pitch and locate sound, and what happens when hearing is impaired.<\/p>\r\n<section data-depth=\"1\">\r\n<h2>Anatomy of the Auditory System<\/h2>\r\n<p>The ear can be separated into multiple sections: the outer, middle, and inner ear.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\r\n<h3>outer, middle, and inner ear structures<\/h3>\r\n<p>The outer ear includes the <strong>pinna<\/strong>, which is the visible part of the ear that protrudes from our heads, the auditory canal, and the <strong>tympanic membrane<\/strong>, or eardrum.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>The middle ear contains three tiny bones known as the <strong>ossicles<\/strong>, which are named the <strong>malleus<\/strong> (or hammer), <strong>incus<\/strong> (or anvil), and the <strong>stapes<\/strong> (or stirrup).<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>The inner ear contains the <strong>semicircular canals<\/strong>, which are involved in balance and movement (the vestibular sense), and the cochlea. The <strong>cochlea<\/strong> is a fluid-filled, snail-shaped structure that contains the sensory receptor cells (hair cells) of the auditory system (Figure 1).<\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"975\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224731\/CNX_Psych_05_04_Ear.jpg\" alt=\"An illustration shows sound waves entering the \u201cauditory canal\u201d and traveling to the inner ear. The locations of the \u201cpinna,\u201d \u201ctympanic membrane (eardrum)\u201d are labeled, as well as parts of the inner ear: the \u201cossicles\u201d and its subparts, the \u201cmalleus,\u201d \u201cincus,\u201d and \u201cstapes.\u201d A callout leads to a close-up illustration of the inner ear that shows the locations of the \u201csemicircular canals,\u201d \u201curticle,\u201d \u201coval window,\u201d \u201csaccule,\u201d \u201ccochlea,\u201d and the \u201cbasilar membrane and hair cells.\u201d\" width=\"975\" height=\"403\" data-media-type=\"image\/jpg\" \/> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. The ear is divided into outer (pinna and tympanic membrane), middle (the three ossicles: malleus, incus, and stapes), and inner (cochlea and basilar membrane) divisions.[\/caption]\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h3 data-start=\"2487\" data-end=\"2529\"><strong data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2529\">From Sound Waves to Neural Signals<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2567\">Here\u2019s how sound becomes perception:<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2571\" data-end=\"2660\"><strong data-start=\"2571\" data-end=\"2586\">Sound waves<\/strong> travel through the auditory canal and cause the <strong data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2646\">eardrum<\/strong> to vibrate.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2664\" data-end=\"2759\">The <strong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2680\">ossicles<\/strong> amplify and transmit those vibrations to the <strong data-start=\"2726\" data-end=\"2741\">oval window<\/strong> of the cochlea.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2763\" data-end=\"2849\">The movement of the <strong data-start=\"2783\" data-end=\"2793\">stapes<\/strong> at the oval window sets the cochlear fluid in motion.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2965\">This motion bends the <strong data-start=\"2875\" data-end=\"2890\">stereocilia<\/strong> (tiny hairlike projections) on the hair cells in the <strong data-start=\"2944\" data-end=\"2962\">organ of Corti<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"2969\" data-end=\"3053\">Bending of the stereocilia opens ion channels, generating <strong data-start=\"3027\" data-end=\"3050\">electrical impulses<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"3057\" data-end=\"3220\">These impulses travel along the <strong data-start=\"3089\" data-end=\"3107\">auditory nerve<\/strong> to the <strong data-start=\"3115\" data-end=\"3128\">brainstem<\/strong>, then to the <strong data-start=\"3142\" data-end=\"3154\">thalamus<\/strong>, and finally to the <strong data-start=\"3175\" data-end=\"3194\">auditory cortex<\/strong> in the <strong data-start=\"3202\" data-end=\"3219\">temporal lobe<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p data-start=\"3222\" data-end=\"3316\">Like vision, auditory information travels along <strong data-start=\"3270\" data-end=\"3291\">parallel pathways<\/strong> for different functions:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"3319\" data-end=\"3385\">A \u201cwhat\u201d pathway helps identify the source or type of sound.<\/li>\r\n\t<li data-start=\"3388\" data-end=\"3521\">A \u201cwhere\/how\u201d pathway helps determine the sound\u2019s location and movement in space (Rauschecker &amp; Tian, 2000; Renier et al., 2009).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch the process of audition in the following video:<br \/>\r\n<iframe src=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=1793403&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=573&amp;video_id=pCCcFDoyBxM&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-lhg3ejpv-pCCcFDoyBxM\" width=\"800px\" height=\"500px\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0px\" marginheight=\"0px\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><br \/>\r\nYou can <a href=\"https:\/\/oerfiles.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Psychology\/Transcriptions\/ProcessOfHearingAnimation.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view the transcript for \"Process of Hearing Animation YouTube\" here (opens in new window)<\/a>.<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">[ohm2_question height=\"1050\"]3993[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Describe the anatomy of the auditory system<\/li>\n<li>Understand how sound waves shape our hearing<\/li>\n<li>Explain how we perceive pitch and localize sound<\/li>\n<li>Describe types of hearing loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2 data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"376\"><strong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"376\">The Auditory System: How We Hear<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Our auditory system transforms vibrations in the air into the meaningful sounds of speech, music, and the environment. This process allows us to appreciate language, rhythm, and even the quiet rustle of leaves. Let\u2019s explore the anatomy of the ear, how sound becomes a neural signal, how we perceive pitch and locate sound, and what happens when hearing is impaired.<\/p>\n<section data-depth=\"1\">\n<h2>Anatomy of the Auditory System<\/h2>\n<p>The ear can be separated into multiple sections: the outer, middle, and inner ear.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\n<h3>outer, middle, and inner ear structures<\/h3>\n<p>The outer ear includes the <strong>pinna<\/strong>, which is the visible part of the ear that protrudes from our heads, the auditory canal, and the <strong>tympanic membrane<\/strong>, or eardrum.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The middle ear contains three tiny bones known as the <strong>ossicles<\/strong>, which are named the <strong>malleus<\/strong> (or hammer), <strong>incus<\/strong> (or anvil), and the <strong>stapes<\/strong> (or stirrup).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The inner ear contains the <strong>semicircular canals<\/strong>, which are involved in balance and movement (the vestibular sense), and the cochlea. The <strong>cochlea<\/strong> is a fluid-filled, snail-shaped structure that contains the sensory receptor cells (hair cells) of the auditory system (Figure 1).<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 975px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224731\/CNX_Psych_05_04_Ear.jpg\" alt=\"An illustration shows sound waves entering the \u201cauditory canal\u201d and traveling to the inner ear. The locations of the \u201cpinna,\u201d \u201ctympanic membrane (eardrum)\u201d are labeled, as well as parts of the inner ear: the \u201cossicles\u201d and its subparts, the \u201cmalleus,\u201d \u201cincus,\u201d and \u201cstapes.\u201d A callout leads to a close-up illustration of the inner ear that shows the locations of the \u201csemicircular canals,\u201d \u201curticle,\u201d \u201coval window,\u201d \u201csaccule,\u201d \u201ccochlea,\u201d and the \u201cbasilar membrane and hair cells.\u201d\" width=\"975\" height=\"403\" data-media-type=\"image\/jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. The ear is divided into outer (pinna and tympanic membrane), middle (the three ossicles: malleus, incus, and stapes), and inner (cochlea and basilar membrane) divisions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<h3 data-start=\"2487\" data-end=\"2529\"><strong data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2529\">From Sound Waves to Neural Signals<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2567\">Here\u2019s how sound becomes perception:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-start=\"2571\" data-end=\"2660\"><strong data-start=\"2571\" data-end=\"2586\">Sound waves<\/strong> travel through the auditory canal and cause the <strong data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2646\">eardrum<\/strong> to vibrate.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2664\" data-end=\"2759\">The <strong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2680\">ossicles<\/strong> amplify and transmit those vibrations to the <strong data-start=\"2726\" data-end=\"2741\">oval window<\/strong> of the cochlea.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2763\" data-end=\"2849\">The movement of the <strong data-start=\"2783\" data-end=\"2793\">stapes<\/strong> at the oval window sets the cochlear fluid in motion.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2965\">This motion bends the <strong data-start=\"2875\" data-end=\"2890\">stereocilia<\/strong> (tiny hairlike projections) on the hair cells in the <strong data-start=\"2944\" data-end=\"2962\">organ of Corti<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2969\" data-end=\"3053\">Bending of the stereocilia opens ion channels, generating <strong data-start=\"3027\" data-end=\"3050\">electrical impulses<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3057\" data-end=\"3220\">These impulses travel along the <strong data-start=\"3089\" data-end=\"3107\">auditory nerve<\/strong> to the <strong data-start=\"3115\" data-end=\"3128\">brainstem<\/strong>, then to the <strong data-start=\"3142\" data-end=\"3154\">thalamus<\/strong>, and finally to the <strong data-start=\"3175\" data-end=\"3194\">auditory cortex<\/strong> in the <strong data-start=\"3202\" data-end=\"3219\">temporal lobe<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"3222\" data-end=\"3316\">Like vision, auditory information travels along <strong data-start=\"3270\" data-end=\"3291\">parallel pathways<\/strong> for different functions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"3319\" data-end=\"3385\">A \u201cwhat\u201d pathway helps identify the source or type of sound.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3388\" data-end=\"3521\">A \u201cwhere\/how\u201d pathway helps determine the sound\u2019s location and movement in space (Rauschecker &amp; Tian, 2000; Renier et al., 2009).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch the process of audition in the following video:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=1793403&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=573&amp;video_id=pCCcFDoyBxM&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-lhg3ejpv-pCCcFDoyBxM\" width=\"800px\" height=\"500px\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0px\" marginheight=\"0px\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><br \/>\nYou can <a href=\"https:\/\/oerfiles.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Psychology\/Transcriptions\/ProcessOfHearingAnimation.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view the transcript for &#8220;Process of Hearing Animation YouTube&#8221; here (opens in new window)<\/a>.<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm3993\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=3993&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm3993&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"1050\"><\/iframe><\/section>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"menu_order":17,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Psychology\",\"author\":\"OpenStax College\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/5-4-hearing\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"Download for free at https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-introduction\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Information on corti\",\"author\":\"Andrew J. Oxenham \",\"organization\":\"University of Minnesota\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/nobaproject.com\/modules\/hearing\",\"project\":\"The Noba Project\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"Process of Hearing\",\"author\":\"psy1113\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pCCcFDoyBxM\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"other\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube License\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"File:Anatomy of the Human Ear.svg\",\"author\":\"Lars Chittka and Axel Brockmann\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Anatomy_of_the_Human_Ear_en.svg\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":402,"module-header":"learn_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"cc","description":"Psychology","author":"OpenStax College","organization":"","url":"https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/5-4-hearing","project":"","license":"cc-by","license_terms":"Download for free at https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-introduction"},{"type":"cc","description":"Information on corti","author":"Andrew J. 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