Hearing & the ear's sound path
Hearing is second only to vision for getting critical information in flight.
Sound path:
| Step | Part | Job |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | External ear | Collects sound |
| 2 | Ear canal | Conducts sound |
| 3 | Eardrum | Vibrates |
| 4 | Ossicles | Pass vibration inward |
| 5 | Cochlea (snail-shaped, fluid-filled) | Turns vibration into electrical signal, using hair-like receptors |
| 6 | Auditory nerve | Carries signal to brain |
Trap: hearing ranks second, not equal to vision; ear canal conducts sound, cochlea makes the electrical signal.
References
- FAA CAMI, Hearing and Noise in Aviation (AM-400-98/3)