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Grades K–2 · Organisms

What does the outside part of an ear do with sound?

The part of an ear you can see is a shaped entrance for sound. Its folds help guide some arriving sound into a passage called the ear canal.

F039 visual explanationThe outer ear guides sound toward the drum; sound; ear canal; eardrumThe outer ear guides sound toward the drumsoundear canaleardrum

In the diagramThe outer ear guides sound toward the drumsoundear canaleardrum

Sound passes the folded outer ear and travels along an enlarged canal to a vibrating eardrum. Later hearing steps are indicated but not diagrammed.

Sound travels along the air in that canal toward a thin surface called the eardrum. The changing pushes of the sound make the eardrum move back and forth.

That movement begins more steps farther inside the ear, where sound becomes messages for the brain. The outer ear helps sound reach the next part. Hearing needs the whole route, not just the visible flap on the side of the head.

About this explanation

Starting knowledge: Know that sound travels through air and recognize the visible part of a human ear.

Sources

  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders — How Do We Hear?
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