Introduction

For humans, speech, music and other environmental sounds form the basic elements of language, social relations and adaptive response to environmental stimuli. In order to hear a sound, the auditory system converts changes in air pressure in the environment into neural activity that permits our brain to perceive and attach meaning to the sounds that we hear.

The human ear can be divided into three fairly distinct components according to both anatomical position and function: the outer ear, which is responsible for gathering sound energy and funnelling it to the eardrum; the middle ear which acts as a mechanical transformer; and the inner ear where the auditory receptors (hair cells) are located transduces mechanical energy into neural activity.

Although humans are highly visual creatures, much human communication is mediated by the auditory system; indeed, loss of hearing can be more socially debilitating than blindness.

 

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News

Humans 'hear' through their skin

26/11/2009 09:11
Sensations on the skin play a part in how people her speech, say canadian researchers.  Read more at: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8374910.stm

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Hearing loss singer's choir joy

21/07/2009 13:38
A singer who almost quit a choir after losing his hearing is urging others not to ignore the problem. Read more at: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8161066.stm

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Stem cell 'deafness cure' closer

01/04/2009 23:58
Stem cells that could be used to restore hearing have been successfully created, Scientists have said. Read more at: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7974795.stm

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Tinnitus cure 'is a step closer'

25/03/2009 11:29
Scientists believe they are a step closer to curing tinnitus after they have found what could be the root cause of ringing in the ears. Read more at:news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7959785.stm

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Call for over 55s hearing tests

26/01/2009 15:47
The government is being urged to provide free hearing tests for everyone over 55 by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).  Read more at:news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7848010.stm

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Playing golf can 'damage hearing'

05/01/2009 11:40
Keen golfers are being warned by doctors that they could be risking their hearing for their sport. Read more at: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7811143.stm

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Did you know....

Hearing loss affects around two out of 10 adults in the UK. Most of these people are over the age of 60 and have lost their hearing gradually, but hearing loss can occur at a younger age. In the UK, one in every 840 children is born severely or profoundly deaf each year.