Which describes the initial step of hearing?

Which describes the initial step of hearing?

• A. The three bones in the middle ear shake the eardrum
• B. The inner ear directly sends signals to the brain
• C. Sounds enter the external auditory canal and strike the tympanic membrane (eardrum) causing vibration
• D. The cochlea produces electrical signals

Answer: (C)

Hearing starts with the outer ear capturing sound and causing the eardrum to vibrate. When sound waves travel through the external auditory canal and strike the tympanic membrane, the eardrum vibrates in response to the sound’s pressure fluctuations. This initial vibration sets the middle ear bones in motion and sends the energy onward to the inner ear, where it’s converted into neural signals. The other statements describe later steps or misstate the process—for example, the inner ear sending signals directly to the brain is not the first step, and the cochlea’s electrical signals come after the eardrum’s vibration. So the first step is sounds entering the ear canal and striking the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.

Hearing starts with the outer ear capturing sound and causing the eardrum to vibrate. When sound waves travel through the external auditory canal and strike the tympanic membrane, the eardrum vibrates in response to the sound’s pressure fluctuations. This initial vibration sets the middle ear bones in motion and sends the energy onward to the inner ear, where it’s converted into neural signals. The other statements describe later steps or misstate the process—for example, the inner ear sending signals directly to the brain is not the first step, and the cochlea’s electrical signals come after the eardrum’s vibration. So the first step is sounds entering the ear canal and striking the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.