Hearing - Ears
Hearing, or audition, is one of the traditional five senses and refers to the ability to detect sound.In human beings, hearing is performed by the ears, which also perform the function of balance, a sense in itself but not one of the traditional list (due to Aristotle). This is in common with most mammals. Many other organisms also have some form of hearing, either by some sort of ear, or by other structures, or by a combination.
A common rule of thumb used to describe human hearing is that human hearing is sensitive in the range of frequency of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, though this varies significantly with age, occupational hearing damage, and gender; some individuals are able to hear up to 22 kHz and perhaps beyond, while others are limited to about 16 kHz. Frequencies capable of being heard by humans are called audio or referred to as sonic. Frequencies higher than audio are referred to as ultrasonic, while frequencies below audio are referred to as infrasonic.
Some organisms are able to hear ultrasound and/or infrasound. Some bats use ultrasound for echo location while in flight. Dogs are able to hear ultrasound, which is the principle of 'silent' dog whistles. Snakes sense infrasound through their bellies, and there is evidence that whales and elephants may use it for communication. The hearing can be tested using a device or computer program called audiometer.
Blind people use both visual and auditory cortices to hear PhysOrg - February 16, 2010
Surprise! Your Skin Can Hear Live Science - November 27, 2009
People Hear With Their Skin as Well as Their Ears New York Times - November 25, 2009
Scientists identify genetic cause for type of deafness PhysOrg - September 3, 2009
New research demonstrates humans' right ear preference for listening PhysOrg - June 23, 2009
How Human Ear Translates Vibrations Into Sounds Science Daily - April 28, 2009
Scientists Identify Molecular Cause For One Form Of Deafness Science Daily - February 6, 2007
Human Ears Evolved from Ancient Fish Gills Live Science - January 20, 2006
More than 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss Newsweek - June 6 Issue
New bionic ear uses smart plastic News in Science - April 2005
Hearing Loss Tied To Heart Disease Science Daily - March 2005
Cool ears give the brain away News in Science - March 2005
The temperature of your inner ear provides a new way of
understanding whether you're using your left or right brain
Research Identifies Promising Route For Treating Age-Related Hearing Loss Science Daily - January 2005
Mechanical ear makes its debut PhysicsWeb - January 2005
Scientists 'find key to hearing' BBC - October 2004
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