Sound – human hearing
Task
1) Cut out the boxes in the first table. Arrange them according to the part of the ear they
are found - the outer, middle or inner ear.
2) Put them in the order that sound signals travel through the ear.
3) Shade in the two parts of the inner ear which are not directly involved in the
transmission of sound signals.
4) Cut out the boxes in the second table. Match each function to the correct part of the
ear.
Table 1
outer ear
middle ear
oval window
ear drum
hammer (malleus)
cochlea
Eustachian tube
ear canal
stirrup (stapes)
auditory nerve
ear flap (pinna)
semi-circular canals
anvil (incus)
inner ear
Table 2
turns sound into electrical
messages
amplifies sound
catches and channels
sound
to channel sound
changes sound of different
frequencies to electrical
signals
vibrates to transmit sound to
the inner ear
to catch sound energy
vibrates to transmit sound to
the middle ear
links to the throat to adjust air
pressure
the body’s balance organ
sends electrical signals to the
brain
the first bone that amplifies
vibrations
the third bone that amplifies
vibrations
the second bone that
amplifies vibrations
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Sound – human hearing
Answers
outer ear
catches and channels sound
ear flap (pinna)
to catch sound energy
ear canal
to channel sound
ear drum
vibrates to transmit sound to the middle ear
middle ear
amplifies sound
hammer
the first bone that amplifies vibrations
anvil
the second bone that amplifies vibrations
stirrup
the third bone that amplifies vibrations
oval window
vibrates to transmit sound to the inner ear
inner ear
turns sound into electrical messages
cochlea
changes sound of different frequencies to electrical signals
auditory nerve
sends electrical signals to the brain
Eustachian tube
links to the throat to adjust air pressure
semi-circular canals
the body’s balance organ
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Sound – human hearing
How many ears have you got?
Answer: 6 !
Left and right outer ear
Left and right middle ear
Left and right inner ear
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Outer ear
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Middle ear
Describe the route the vibrations
What does the ear flap (pinna)
take through the middle ear.
do?
The vibrations pass from the ear
It directs the sound to the ear
drum through the hammer, anvil
drum which vibrates.
and stirrup to the oval window.
They are amplified along the way.
How does the shape of the ear
flap help?
What do you think the hammer,
anvil and stirrup are made from?
It captures a large area of
sound vibrations and directs it
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down the canal.
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They are small bones.
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Middle ear
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Inner ear
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What do you think happens to
What is the Eustachian tube
the vibrations in the inner ear?
connected to?
The vibrations pass to the
The throat - to keep the
cochlea where the fluid inside
pressure the same as outside.
moves small hairs. These send
signals to the brain via the
How do you force air inside
auditory nerve.
the middle ear, or let it out?
Why are the hairs inside the
Hold your nose and blow, or
cochlea of different lengths?
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swallow.
To detect different frequencies.
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Inner ear
Model the human ear and how it works
Task
In groups act out how the human ear works from ear
flap to the brain. Be prepared to explain your role.
What are the semi-circular
canals for?
They are for keeping your
balance.
Why are there three circular
canals?
For balancing left-right, upImage © eChalk Ltd www.echalk.co.uk
down, forward-back.
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