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Diagram 1
The outer ear gathers soundwaves and directs them through the ear canal.
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Diagram 2
Soundwaves vibrate the eardrum, where the ossicles (middle ear bones) transmit the vibrations the the inner ear.
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Diagram 3
Inside the inner ear, the cochlea, a spiral structure, contains fluid and about 30,000 highly sensitive hair cells, which respond to frequency (pitch) and intensity (loudness) of sound.
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Diagram 4
Three rows of outer hair cells and one row of inner hair cells are connected to nerve fibers that translate sound as electrical signals to the brain.
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Diagram 5
Normal hair cells.
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Diagram 6
Hair cells as they appear after permanent damage by excessive intensity or loudness of sound.
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Watch a clip of this animated sequence (requires Windows Media Player)
For further information please contact the individuals below.
Print Media: Mona Thomas Broadcast Media: Doug Plesh
Phone: 301-897-0156 Phone: 301-897-7349
Email: mthomas@asha.org Email: dplesh@asha.org
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