Why does a damaged eardrum lead to hearing impairment?
AThe brain stops accepting signals once the ear is damaged
BDamaged eardrums make sounds louder than they really are
CDamaged ears stop producing sound
DThe eardrum's job is to convert incoming sound vibrations into mechanical vibrations of the inner ear; a damaged eardrum can no longer vibrate properly, so the signal to the brain is disrupted
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The eardrum's job is to convert incoming sound vibrations into mechanical vibrations of the inner ear; a damaged eardrum can no longer vibrate properly, so the signal to the brain is disrupted
The eardrum is the first mechanical link in the hearing pathway. It receives air-pressure variations and vibrates, passing those vibrations into the inner ear's tiny bones and fluid. If the eardrum is perforated or scarred, this transfer is poor — so signals reaching the brain are weak or distorted. That is why no sharp or hard object should be put into the ear.
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