Question

Describe the process that occurs when an object is put into vibration and the sound wave energy travels across the room. How does it get there? And how does it eventually become electrical energy in your brain? Please describe the processes of auditory transduction from acoustic to mechanical to hydraulic to electrical, describing the parts of the auditory system involved at each change.

Answer 1

When an object is put into vibration then the sound wave energy is converted into mechanical energy, this mechanical energy starts to move the object due to which mechanical energy is transferred into hydraulic energy, which ultimately creates electrical energy.

Acoustic energy(in the form of sound waves) is transferred into the ear canal by the ear. Sound waves strike the eardrum and vibrate it which changes the acoustic energy into mechanical energy. The bone which is attached to the eardrum starts to oscillates into motion. The stapes moves in the oval window creating a mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. The fluid movement causes membranes to move against some particular cells.This movement creates an electrochemical signal which is sent via the auditory nerve up through the central auditory nervous system to the brain, where sound is interpreted.This is how the auditory system works.