I treat many people in New York City who believe they have hearing loss as an ear, nose, and throat physician. At business dinners, they can't hear talks, and at parties, they have to ask people to repeat themselves. By the way, these patients aren't always senior citizens. The majority of them are young, healthy, and have never had hearing loss.
One such patient visited last week at her husband's request.
He is constantly complaining that he needs to yell at me from the adjacent room. Why can't I hear him? She was there. I made a joke, "Because you are married."
She did not find it amusing.
So I checked for earwax like I would normally do. (I further look for fluid in the middle ear and other tedious things we can skip over.) I was really disappointed to discover that there was no glob to remove that would instantly make her hearing normal.
I then tested her hearing. It was also typical.
So what's happening, she enquired.
I'm sure you have the same question.
I need to describe how hearing works to you before I can explain.
As seen in the image above, waves of sound move through the air. Your eardrum vibrates at the frequency of the soundwave when sound enters your ear. Think Mariah Carey for an example of a high-pitched sound that causes a fast vibration and a gradual vibration (think Barry White).
The three tiny ear bones known as ossicles are located on the other side of the eardrum. Their Latin names are malleus, incus, and stapes, but I like their popular names more because they sound like things Thor might use (hammer, anvil, and stirrup). These ear bones form a "chain" that joins the eardrum to the cochlea, the hearing organ. As a result, when the eardrum vibrates, the chain of tiny bones vibrates as well, which causes the circular window, a portion of the cochlea, to vibrate.
The cochlea is not a straightforward organ, thus there is no simple way to explain it, but these are the fundamentals. The fluid-filled cochlea has a spiral shape resembling a snail. Tiny hair cells are present along the margins and are floating in the fluid bath. The auditory or hearing nerve is related to these hair cells. The auditory nerve sends a message to the brain when the hair cells move in the vibrating fluid. A membrane that keeps the fluid within is located on the spiral's broader end. The round window at this broader end is where the stirrup is located.
Bringing everything together
Your eardrum vibrates as a result of the sound waves entering your ears. Thor's tools begin to vibrate as a result, and because they are attached to the circular window, they transmit that vibration to the fluid within the cochlea. Depending on whether you're a fan of Arianna or not, the vibrating fluid activates those small hair cells, which in turn trigger the hearing nerve and transmit a signal to your brain, causing you to either sing along or shudder.
This is how hearing functions normally. You can find it more difficult to hear if something is in the way.
However, hearing and listening are not the same.
The auditory cortex, often known as the hearing center, receives the signal from the auditory nerve. Here perception takes place. You may or may not be able to hear sounds, depending on how your brain interprets them. So even if a sound regularly passes through your ears, you won't "hear" it unless your brain allows you to.
Imagine you are writing an article about hearing while sitting in a quiet room. Suddenly, your teenager's phone rings, and the chorus from Into You plays. The sound causes you to leap out of your chair because, in a short second, it caused your body to react by traveling from your ear to your brain and back.
Now picture yourself at a crowded New York coffee shop. Outside, an ambulance drives by. Car horns are blaring. The individual seated next to you is chatting with a friend about their date from the previous night. A customer enters the establishment, and the identical ringtone is heard on her phone. You aren't even aware that the sound flows via the same circuit as before. Your brain must filter out the sounds that are significant enough to warrant your attention because it is always being inundated with different sounds. Which noises you should listen to must be determined by it. In this instance, you don't notice because there are so many distracting noises.
Imagine if there is noise everywhere you go right now. Your brain filters information much more frequently than it listens. It eventually stops listening, even when you are in a quieter environment. Your husband suggests that you get your hearing checked because you aren't hearing him one day.. You can now explain the reason to him.
About the Creator
There's No Such Thing as Laziness.
The Concept of Laziness: How it Came to Be, And How it Rules Society The idea of laziness has existed for centuries, but its definition has evolved with society. It's a concept which was created in the sixteenth century by capitalists and English Protestants. It emerged during a time when religious, diligent, and working-class citizens were considered the chosen ones. It was believed that those who worked hard would be saved by God, and those who were lazy would be condemned. During the colonial period of the United States, laziness become a justification for white colonizers to mistreat underperforming slaves - because dutiful slaves were praised, and disobedient slaves were lazy.
By ghostsandrebelsabout 23 hours ago in Humans
Peanuts and Crackerjack
Bottom of the ninth inning. The game is tied with two outs, two strikes and a man on second. I tap the bat on home plate. The rigid vibrations it creates reminds my aching digits that this isn't over. The practice swing only adds to the heft of mental burnout... Man on second, willing to chance it. Pitcher eyes him but doesn't give in to the dangerous bluff. I kick up dust, readying the peculiar stance I've had since the days of little league. The bat lays stiff upon my cramping shoulder. Pain has no reason to be acknowledged; it's a fleeting afterthought. The sun sits passed high noon, but the stadium lights are on anyway. They trick my brain into believing they are the cause of this sweltering heat. Sporadic clouds are motionless, they too, don't want to miss this exhilarating predicament. Anticipating the next pitch, intensifying roars from the crowd rumble the stadium... Behind me, the crafty catcher adjusts his stance and spits to the dry dirt. Behind him, the staunch umpire doesn't flinch or even blink; he knows how important his call will be. The pitcher winds up, his grip tells me its gonna curve. The release is fierce! Beads of sweat from his hair and face disperse in every direction as the force of his might is unfailing. My left leg lifts—an instinctual move that will increase the power of my swing. It's all down to my two, bloodshot eyes. They lock onto the speeding, white dot as it instantly becomes the target I intend to destroy. The swing is late, but I manage a solid tip. The ball is taking a fast bounce toward the pitcher who is recovering from the almighty throw! Man on second leaves in a desperate rush! I fling the bat to the side with a sense of urgency and make a mad sprint to the only destination I have—first base. Three defenders race inward to be the first to retrieve the skidding ball. Man is almost on third! I watch the open glove of my adversary, wondering if I’ve done enough to win this race. I switch my attention to his eyes, looking for a clue, some kind of reaction that tells me the ball is in the air and heading his way. All I see is frustration. The deafening roar of the crowd spikes! Something happens that I can’t see! My opponent abandons his post right as my left stride touches the bag. I waste no time turning my head to see the pitcher laying on his stomach, pounding the mound with an open glove. He misses the opportunity to out me and the ball has quickly bounced past him. Excitement grows! This isn’t over yet... It's become an imperative fight to tag out the runner heading homeward. The catcher falls to his knees in obvious despair as he watches my teammate make the run of his life. He knows it’s going to be close when he sees the shortstop fumble the ball a second too long. I jump up and down with no plans on leaving first base. All my chips are on the speed and agility of the active runner. His cleats dig into the dirt, trailing a dust-filled cyclone from the rapid and strenuous strides. With a thrusting dive and an outstretched arm, he lands on his chest to begin the crucial slide to home plate. The shortstop fires the ball to the catcher! It immediately begins closing the gap! Nail-biting doesn't begin to describe the anxious vibe permeating the stadium. The bench begins to celebrate even before he reaches the plate. Forty thousand cheering fans reach maximum crescendo, filling the air with a glorious sound. Everyone knows how this story will end… My teammate is met by the entire bench as his fingers inch across home plate, instantly followed by the unmistakable motion of the catcher's glove attempting to tag him out—its milliseconds too late. The ump swings his arms outward, officially calling him safe.
By Lamar Wiggins2 days ago in Fiction
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