Ear, Nose & Throat How Your Hearing Works By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN Facebook Twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 27, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by John Carew, MD Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD LinkedIn Twitter John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and is an adjunct assistant professor at New York University Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print The creation and travel of sound is the starting point for the mechanism of hearing. Sound travels to the ear and then to the brain stem and the cerebral cortex (in the brain) to interpret sound. JOSE ANTONIO PEAS / Getty Images Before we can hear anything, a sound must be generated. Whether the sound is someone’s voice, a siren, or thunderclap, vibrations are created. These vibrations can travel through air, metal, water, wood, etc. This concept functions the same way human vocal cords vibrate to create the sounds that we use to generate speech. The vibrations exist in a wave form that eventually makes it to our ears. The wave that is created is important to how we will perceive the sound. External and Middle Ear Function The external ear acts as a funnel for sounds. Sound travels inside the ear to the tympanic membrane (eardrum). The sound waves that come into contact with the tympanic membrane are converted into vibrations that are sensed by a group of tiny bones, known as the middle ear ossicles. They are comprised of the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). The malleus is the first to conduct the vibration, which then continues through the incus and ends at the stapes, which is in contact with the oval (vestibular) window, which separates the middle ear from the inner ear. Inner Ear Function The function of the inner ear starts when conduction of the sound wave reaches the oval window. The sound wave then travels through the cochlea, which looks like a snail’s shell. The cochlea is divided into three fluid-filled chambers. Different areas along the length of the cochlea are receptive to different frequencies. The signal then goes into the cochlear duct causing vibration of endolymph (a specialized fluid) where the signal is converted into an electrical impulse that is transferred to the cochlear and vestibular nerves. The cochlea ends at the round window, where the sound wave is finally dispersed as hydraulic pressure. The Brain The hearing mechanism actually consists of two functional units: the right ear and the left ear. The units are identical; however, they each have an important role in the determination of sound. The medulla oblongata (lower portion of the brainstem) receives signals from the vestibulocochlear nerve at different timing and strength intervals depending on where the sound is coming from, the way the head is turned, and the distance of the sound. The difference in timing and intensity is important in providing a 3-dimensional aspect to sound. The brainstem sends the signal to the midbrain and then subsequently to the auditory cortex of the temporal lobes of the brain where the electrical impulses are interpreted as the sounds that we experience. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Jarvis, C. (2004). Ears. In Physical Examination & Health Assessment (341-370). St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders. National Institutes of Health. Information About Hearing, Communication, and Understanding.