Do You Hear What I Hear?
You may be surprised… but the answer is simply NO, you do not Hear What I Hear.
People really do sometimes hear the same sounds in completely different ways whether it is a song or the ticking of a clock. Even the smallest differences in our skull structure or bone density can impact the way our brains receives and processes sound waves. But, the hearing process all begins with the ear.
All sounds that we hear actually come from a wave of pressure moving through the air. Our outer ears “catch” the waves and they move them through the ear canal where they strike the ear drum. The ear drum will then start to vibrate and travel to the inner ear. The inner ear translates these vibrations into signals than are sent to the brain by way of the auditory nerve for interpretation. The interpretation is where we all have a unique hearing experience.
How We Hear
Our inner ear plays an extremely important role in the transformation of these mechanical vibrations into electrical impulses, or signals. When the vibrations reach the cochlea through movement of the bones in the middle ear, the fluid within it begins to move, resulting in back and forth motion of tiny hairs (sensory receptors) lining the cochlea. This motion causes the hair cells to send a signal along the auditory nerve to the brain. Our brain receives these impulses in its hearing centers and interprets them as a type of sound.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of different causes. There are three different types of hearing loss: Conductive Hearing Loss, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, and Mixed Hearing Loss. Conductive Hearing Loss occurs due to problems with the ear canal, ear drum or middle ears and its little bones. The Sensorineural Hearing Loss is due to problems of the inner ear. Mixed Hearing Loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss and means that there may be damage in the outer or middle ear and the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve.
If you have questions about your hearing or would like to learn more about CNC Hearing & Balance Center, call us today at Uptown Hearing & Balance (504) 934-8321 or Marrero Hearing & Balance (504) 934-8320.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
