The Hearing Process and Presbycusis
Hearing is the second most indispensable process, in conjunction to the special senses of the humans. The process is particularly vital, and it comprises of the auditory mechanism, sensation, perception, and interpretation of the information in the brain. The anatomy of the hearing process encompasses the external ear; auricle, meatus and ear drum, the middle ear, which consists of the ossicles, oval window, round window, and the opening into the Eustachian tube, and inner ear, which entails, cochlea and vestibular apparatus (Kiernan & Barr, 2009: Garrett, 2011). The ear and the hearing system are always accompanied by different malfunction. In addition to this, there are a variety of diseases that affect the hearing process, and they can partially or totally amount to hearing loss. Hearing process is decidedly essential in the daily living of human life, and its loss may amount to difficulties in daily operations.
Discussion
The Hearing Process
The process is quite complex, and it involves a plethora of auditory mechanism; sound reception, amplification, and conversion of sound waves into neural impulse, then transmission to the central nervous system (Kiernan & Barr, 2009). The hearing processes commences through hearing stimulation, attained when air as a conducting medium is set into vibration by the sound source, at a given frequency (Garrett, 2011). The waves are then received by the auricle (pinna) and funneled into the ear canal. Consequently, the ear drum is then struck by the waves (Kiernan & Barr, 2009). The vibrations that emanate from the ear drum are then transmitted by the ossicles to the inner ear (Garrett, 2011). The Eustachian tube equalizes the air pressure on the ear drum through the control of inflow of air into the middle ear cavity. Once the waves are in the inner section of the ear, cochlea-a structure with highly specialized cells-translates the incoming vibrations to nerve impulses, with the aid of the hair cells, which act as the receptor cells (Kiernan & Barr, 2009: Garrett, 2011). Further, the vestibular mechanism integrates the sensory input passing to the brain. In addition to this, it aids in maintaining the body’s equilibrium (Kiernan & Barr, 2009). The impulse reaching the brain from the region of maximal stimulation is then interpreted as a particular pitch of the sound (Garrett, 2011).
Presbycusis
Presbycusis is a disorder characterized by loss of hearing due to aging (McCarthy, 2011). It is common in Adults above the age of 75 years. The disorder always develops gradually, and it can amount to mild or severe hearing loss (McCarthy, 2011). In tandem to this, hearing loss is normally associated with greater high-pitched sounds, attributed to the structural changes of the inner section of the ear (Kim, Wolf, and Kuo, 2011). In light with this, the causation factors may comprise of frequent exposure to loud music, gradual degeneration of the structures of the inner ear, hereditary factors, and alteration of the nerves associated with hearing (McCarthy, 2011: Kim, Wolf, and Kuo, 2011). In light with this, the disorder can also be caused by the alteration of blood supply to the ear, ascribed to poor health conditions, for instance high blood pressure. Abnormalities such as of the outer and middle ear may also generate the disorder through feeble transmission of waves by the ear drum, resulting to a conductive hearing loss (Cheng, 2008). On the other hand, the pathway that transmits sound impulse from the hair cells to the auditory nerve and brain can be damaged, resulting to sensorineural hearing loss (Cheng, 2008).
Having Presbycusis is the most tormenting aspect in life, which can even, amount to suicide if not checked. Since the disorder develops gradually, it is hard to notice and with time, and individual can be deprived of enjoying the daily privileges, for instance proficiently participating in conversation, listening to music, watching favorite shows, and even attending public and social meetings. It may also affect the performance of work, since there will be inadequate receiving of information and orders pertaining to work. Further, one’s life may become difficult, and boring, attributed to the strenuous processes involved in hearing.
Conclusion
Concisely, hearing process is an exceptionally fundamental process, as it assists in communication and understanding of various facets on the surface of the planet. However, degeneration of the auditory system due to old age can amount to hearing loss, which may hinder a proficient hearing process, and can deter one from enjoying the daily privileges associated with hearing. Nevertheless, with the introduction of the hearing aids, the disorder can be managed well.
References
Cheng, L. L. (2008). Can you hear me now? Understanding hearing loss. Nursing Centre. Com. Retrieved from http://www.nursingcenter.com/pdf.asp?AID=822705
Garrett, B. (2011). Hearing and Language. In Garrett, B. (Ed.), Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Biological Psychology (253-270). Los Angeles, LA: Sage Publishers.
Kiernan, A. J. & Barr, L. M. (2009). The Human Nervous system (9th Ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a Wolter Kluwer Business.
Kim, Y.G., Wolf, E. K., and Kuo, T. (2011). Detection and Management of Age-Related Hearing Loss. Rx for Prevention, LA County Department of Public Health, 2. Retrieved from http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/flu/rxaug2011web_1.pdf
McCarthy, A. A. (2011). Presbycusis: Presbyacusis; Age-Related Hearing Loss; Presbyacusia. Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Retrieved from http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/print.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=100688.
