Question

How would low air pressure affect the function of the cochlea? How would this affect a sense of audition?

Answer 1

Cochlea is the part of the inner ear helps in hearing

Normally air pressure in the middle ear is similar to the air pressure outside the ear. A structure in the middle ear called eustachian tube which connects middle ear with nose and throat. It opens during swallowing and chewing process to allow air to get in and out of the middle ear. It helps to balance the air pressure in middle ear is equal to the external pressure.

Whenever eustachian tube blocks, it affects the airpressure and creates vaccum in middle ear causing pulling effect of ear drum into the ear thereby causing pain or injury. This is this called as barotrauma.

Low air pressure affects the function of cochlear function. Normally the pressure in the middle ear is amplified by the ossicles and transmitted to the inner ear through oval window which creates wavy motions in the endolymph and perilymph (fluids in cochlea). Then it will transmits to the round window and then to the auditory nerve allowing hearing perception.

Low pressure cause decreased the perception of sound and also cause pain and injury to the ears. Eventually it affects the a sense of audition