Fascinating. Really amazing how our bodies have evolved to work in such complicated ways. It also makes me wonder what breaks down as we age so that some of us become hard of hearing? Is it the fluid dries up, the hairs fall out, or something else?
Good question Ann. The Mayo clinic lists 4 common ways that lead to hearing loss. 1. A ruptured ear drum from a loud blast of noise or sudden changes in pressure. 2.Ear infections or unusual growths in the ear. 3. A build up of earwax and 4. Like you guessed - damage to the inner ear mostly from wear and tear on the hairs or nerves on the cochlea. This last one can be from loud noises or from aging.
A friend of mine recently had a lens placed on top of her ear drum. The lens is set to vibrate by a hearing aid that is draped over her ear. The vibrations the artificial lens sets up in the eardrum are larger than would occur without the lens, so she is hearing much better now. Amazing.
I get the logic, but it still surprises me that the wiggly wave form sounds like two simultaneous but different notes.
I totally agree. I studied waves like this in my career and yet it is still difficult to wrap my head around.
Fascinating. Really amazing how our bodies have evolved to work in such complicated ways. It also makes me wonder what breaks down as we age so that some of us become hard of hearing? Is it the fluid dries up, the hairs fall out, or something else?
thanks Pru I always enjoy your articles.
Good question Ann. The Mayo clinic lists 4 common ways that lead to hearing loss. 1. A ruptured ear drum from a loud blast of noise or sudden changes in pressure. 2.Ear infections or unusual growths in the ear. 3. A build up of earwax and 4. Like you guessed - damage to the inner ear mostly from wear and tear on the hairs or nerves on the cochlea. This last one can be from loud noises or from aging.
A friend of mine recently had a lens placed on top of her ear drum. The lens is set to vibrate by a hearing aid that is draped over her ear. The vibrations the artificial lens sets up in the eardrum are larger than would occur without the lens, so she is hearing much better now. Amazing.