The Ear: Sound Reception

This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Sound & Music module.

Objectives

• Students will be familiar with how sound is perceived by humans
• Student will be familiar with the general structures of the ear and their function: ear canal, ear drum, ossicles, cochlea
• Student will understand the concept of transduction
• Optional: Student will be familiar with how cochlear implants work and their pros/cons with regard to music listening

Resources

Readings:

• NIDCD: How do we hear? (with video below)
• NIDCD: Cochlear Implants

Listening & Videos

• NIDCD: Journey of Sound to the Brain
• Pletsch Video on Auditory Transduction
• Cochlear Implant Simulation

Class Activities

• Discussion and definition of physical and cognitive processes of sound perception
• Show video & discuss process of sound transduction
• Cochlear implant demonstration