How the Ear Works
Beck Hearing Resources
Understanding the Ear
You know you have hearing loss, or might suspect you do, but do you know what that means? In order to understand how hearing loss impacts your auditory system, it is important to know how hearing works. Hearing is a complex process that involves a handful of intricate parts of the ear. These parts work in tandem to transmit sound to the brain, which then registers it. At Beck Hearing, our hearing healthcare specialists will work to not only help you have better hearing, but give you an understanding of how it works.
Parts of the Ear
In order to understand how the ear and auditory system operate, it’s important to be able to identify the different parts and what they are responsible for. Your auditory system is made up of several different parts, including:
How sound travels
Sound waves enter the ear canal and travel toward the eardrum. The eardrum and bones inside the middle ear begin to vibrate. In the cochlea, tiny hair cells convert the vibrations into signals, which are picked up by the auditory nerve. The auditory nerve then sends the signals to the brain, where it is interpreted as sound.
How Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Occurs
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells within the inner ear become damaged. That damage is irreversible, meaning hearing cannot be restored. However, hearing aids can help close the gap and enable those suffering from hearing loss to enjoy better capabilities.
