Kuulmisesüsteem

Kuulmisesüsteem refers to the biological system responsible for hearing. It is a complex sensory apparatus that allows living organisms to detect sound waves and convert them into neural signals that are interpreted by the brain. The process typically begins with the outer ear, which collects sound waves and funnels them towards the middle ear. Here, the sound waves cause vibrations in the eardrum and the small bones (ossicles) of the middle ear. These vibrations are then transmitted to the inner ear.

Within the inner ear, specifically in the cochlea, the mechanical vibrations are transformed into fluid waves. These waves stimulate thousands of tiny hair cells, which are the sensory receptors for hearing. The movement of these hair cells generates electrical impulses. These impulses are then transmitted along the auditory nerve to the brain's auditory cortex, where they are processed and perceived as sound. Different frequencies of sound stimulate different parts of the cochlea, allowing for the perception of pitch, while the intensity of the sound wave determines the loudness. The precise functioning of each component of the kuulmisesüsteem is crucial for effective auditory perception. Disruptions at any stage can lead to various forms of hearing impairment.