Question

The initial step in the process of human audition is the ___.

a) Movement of the pinna
b) Shaking of the ossicles
c) Vibration of the tympanic membrane
d) Wavelike motion in the cochlear fluid

Answer 1

The first step in human hearing is the vibration of the tympanic membrane, which initiates a sequence of events that leads to sound perception. Therefore correct option is C

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial step in the process of human audition is the vibration of the tympanic membrane. When sound waves travel along the auditory canal, they strike the tympanic membrane, causing it to vibrate. This sets off a chain reaction where the vibration is transferred to the three ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) which in turn, push on the oval window, creating pressure waves in the cochlear fluid. These pressure waves stimulate the hair cells, leading to the transduction of the mechanical vibrations into neural signals that the brain can interpret as sound.