Douglas L. Oliver: The science of hearing

The science of hearing

The ability to recognize sounds and identify their location is possible thanks to the auditory system. That's comprised of two main parts: the ear, and the brain. The ear's task is to convert sound energy into neural signals; the brain's is to receive and process the information those signals contain. To understand how that works, Douglas L. Oliver follows a sound on its journey into the ear. [TED-Ed Animation by Cabong Studios]

Hearing relies on a remarkable collaboration between the ear and the brain, converting waves of air pressure into distinct thoughts and actions. A mosquito's whine, for example, is detected as specific vibrations that travel through ear structures before the brain pinpoints their source. This process depends on specialized hair cells and the unique properties of the basilar membrane, which can distinguish everything from a whisper to a symphony. Yet, hearing loss remains highly common, often caused by damage to these delicate biological components.