The Ear

Question 1

What is a hearing aid

Answer 1

A small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear

Question 2

What does a hearing aid do

Answer 2

• it makes some sounds louder

- can help people in quiet and noisy situations

Question 3

What are the 3 basic parts of a hearing aid

Answer 3

• a microphone: receives sounds thorough the mic. It converts sounds waves to electrical signals and sends to the amp
• an amplifier: increases the power of signals and sends them to the ear through a speaker
• a speaker:

Question 4

What do analog hearing aids do

Answer 4

Convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are amplified

Question 5

What do digital hearing aids do

Answer 5

Convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary codes of a computer, before amplifying them

Question 6

What is a hearing loop

Answer 6

A special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids

Question 7

What does a hearing loop system provide

Answer 7

A magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid

Question 8

Why have a hearing loop system

Answer 8

• cuts out unwanted background noise
• no need to use a receiver/headset
• sound goes directly into the hearing aid
• can be used by anyone with a compatible hearing aid
• it is inconspicuous
• cost effective
• any number of users can use the system

Question 9

What are the 5 types of hearing aid

Answer 9

• behind the ear
• mini behind the ear
• in the ear
• in the canal
• completely in canal

Question 10

What are the 3 parts that the ear are separated in to

Answer 10

• Outer
• Middle
• Inner

Question 11

What is the inside of an ear

Answer 11

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity that contains the eardrum and three small bones that help transmit sound to the inner ear

Question 12

How is the middle ear connected to the throat

Answer 12

Via the auditory tube

Question 13

The pinnae

Answer 13

Sound waves pass through the air are channelled into the ear by the outside parts of our ears - the pinnae

Question 14

The eardrum

Answer 14

The waves pass down the external ear passage and cause the eardrum at the end to vibrate

Question 15

The middle ear

Answer 15

The eardrum is allowed to vibrate because as the drum separates another air filled chamber - the middle ear - from the external ear

Question 16

The eustachian tube

Answer 16

A small passageway - the eustachian tube - connects the middle ear to the throat and allows the middle ear to be at the same pressure as atmospheric air

Question 17

What are the bodies 3 smallest bones

Answer 17

• Malleus
• Incus
• Stapes

Question 18

The malleus, incus and stapes + oval window

Answer 18

Transmit vibrations of the eardrum across the middle ear before striking a further membrane - the oval window. This magnifies the intensity of the vibrations

Question 19

The cochlea (on the other side of the oval window is the inner ear and the cochlea)

Answer 19

The cochlea contains a jelly-like fluid, the perilymph, contained in a coiled tube spiralled like a snails shell.

Question 20

The perilymph + the organ of corti

Answer 20

Membranes lines with sensitive hair-like structures called the organ of corti are located within the perilymph

Question 21

The round window

Answer 21

A drum-like membrane - the round window - allows vibrations from the oval window to pass through the fluid, rippling the membranes and stimulating the sensitive hairs

Question 22

The sensitive hairs

Answer 22

These fire impulses to the brain along the auditory nerve and are registered by the brain as sounds

Question 23

What are connected to the cochlea but are not involved in hearing

Answer 23

Fluid filled tubes (semi-circular canals) and swellings (ampullae)

Question 24

Semi-circular canals + ampullae

Answer 24

In these tubes, movement of the fluid results in messages being sent to the brain that give us information on orientation and movement

Question 25

Otoliths

Answer 25

Microscopic granules called otoliths press against the sensitive hairs if we alter our position or rate of movement. This is vital in helping us maintain balance both when stationary and when moving

Question 26

Some people are born without hearing but most cases of deafness are the result of what

Answer 26

Illness | -eg meningitis or an injury to the head, repeated exposure to loud noises or simply growing older

Question 27

What is hearing loss the result of

Answer 27

Sound signals not reaching the brain along the auditory nerve

Question 28

Conductive hearing loss

Answer 28

When sounds are unable to pass from the outer ear to the inner ear are usually because of a blockage (such as are wax or build up from an ear infection These can become fused and so cannot pass the sound across the middle ear

Question 29

Sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 29

Caused by damage to the sensitive hair cells of the organ of corti in the inner ear or damage to the auditory nerve

Question 30

What is the definition of deafness

Answer 30

The conclusion of lacking the power of hearing or having impaired hearing

Question 31

How many babies are born deaf

Answer 31

3 in 1000

Question 32

Why are babies born deaf

Answer 32

Due to genetics or my MMR, meningitis, stroke

Question 33

What are the treatments for deafness

Answer 33

- removing wax blockage - surgical procedures - hearing aids - cochlear implants

Question 34

What is loudness measured in

Answer 34

Decibels (dB)

Question 35

What is pitch frequency measured in

Answer 35

Hertz (hz)

Question 36

What are parts of the external ear

Answer 36

- pinnae | - eardrum

Question 37

What are parts of the middle ear

Answer 37

- eustachian tube - malleus, incus, stapes - oval window

Question 38

What are parts of the inner ear

Answer 38

- cochlea - perilymph - organ of corti - round window - auditory nerve