Question

Which of the following options accurately describes the consequences of sound waves vibrating against the eardrum?

A) The sound waves will burst the eardrum if the sound isn't reduced.
B) The vibrations will be sent directly to the cochlea.
C) The vibrations will be spread throughout the middle ear.
D) The sound waves will create an immediate sound in your brain.

Answer 1

Sound vibrations hitting the eardrum are spread through the middle ear, amplified, and transmitted to the cochlea, eventually being interpreted as sound in the brain after conversion to nerve impulses.

Step-by-step explanation:

When sound waves vibrate against the eardrum, the correct answer is that the vibrations will be spread throughout the middle ear, or option C. These vibrations are then converted into mechanical vibrations by a lever system within the middle ear and applied to the cochlea through the oval window.

The lever system of the middle ear, comprising the malleus, incus, and stapes, takes the force exerted on the eardrum by sound pressure variations, amplifies it and transmits it to the inner ear, thereby creating pressure waves in the cochlea approximately 40 times greater than those impinging on the eardrum. This leads to the conversion of vibrations to nerve impulses, which are ultimately perceived as sound by the person.

To protect against very intense sounds, two muscles in the middle ear can react quickly and reduce the force transmitted to the cochlea, thus helping to prevent potential damage to the inner ear from loud noises.