o

The human sense of hearing is attributed to the auditory system, which uses
the ear to collect, amplify, and transduce sound waves into electrical impulses that allow the
brain to perceive and localize sounds.

The ear can be divided into the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, each of
which has a specific function in the process of hearing.

The outer ear is responsible for the collection and amplification of sound. The
air-filled middle ear transforms sound waves into vibrations, protecting the inner ear from
damage. The fluid-filled inner ear transduces sound vibrations into neural signals that are
sent to the brain for processing.
The cochlea is the major sensory organ of hearing within the inner ear. Hair
cells within the cochlea perform the transduction of sound waves.

o
o

Humans are capable of estimating a sound's origin through a process called

sound localization, which relies on timing and intensity differences in sound waves collected
by each of our two ears.

Source: Boundless. Audition: Hearing, the Ear, and Sound Localization. Boundless Psychology.
Boundless, 20 Aug. 2015. Retrieved 10 Jan. 2016
from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/sensation-andperception-5/sensory-processes-38/audition-hearing-the-ear-and-sound-localization-162-12697/

The Ear
The ear is the main sensory organ of the auditory system. It performs the first processing of sound and
houses all of the sensory receptors required for hearing. The ear's three divisions (outer, middle, and
inner) have specialized functions that combine to allow us to hear.

Source: Boundless. Audition: Hearing, the Ear, and Sound Localization. Boundless Psychology.
Boundless, 20 Aug. 2015. Retrieved 10 Jan. 2016

from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/sensation-andperception-5/sensory-processes-38/audition-hearing-the-ear-and-sound-localization-162-12697/

Hearing loss
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Deaf" redirects here. For other uses, see Deaf (disambiguation).

Hearing loss

The international symbol of deafness and hearing loss

Classification and external resources

Specialty

Otorhinolaryngology, audiology

ICD-10

H90H91

ICD-9-CM

389

DiseasesDB

19942

MedlinePlus

003044

eMedicine

article/994159

MeSH

D034381

Hearing loss, also known as hearing impairment, or anacusis, is a partial or total inability to hear.
[1]
An affected person may be described as hard of hearing. A deaf person has little to no hearing.
[2]
Hearing loss may occur in one or both ears.[2] In children hearing problems can affect the ability to
learn language and in adults it can cause work related difficulties.[3] In some people, particularly older
people, hearing loss can result in loneliness.[2] Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent.
Hearing loss may be caused by a number of factors, including: genetics, ageing, exposure to noise,
some infections, birth complications, trauma to the ear, and certain medications or toxins. A common
condition that results in hearing loss is chronic ear infections. Certain infections during pregnancy
such as rubella may also cause problems. Hearing loss is diagnosed when hearing testing finds that
a person is unable to hear 25 decibels in at least one ear.[2] Testing for poor hearing is recommended
for all newborns.[3] Hearing loss can be categorised as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. [2]
Half of hearing loss is preventable. This includes by immunisation, proper care around pregnancy,
avoiding loud noise, and avoiding certain medications.[2] The World Health Organization recommends
that young people limit the use of personal audio players to an hour a day in an effort to limit
exposure to noise.[4] Early identification and support are particularly important in children. For
manyhearing aids, sign language, cochlear implants and subtitles are useful. Lip reading is another
useful skill some develop. Access to hearing aids, however, is limited in many areas of the world. [2]