Cranial Nerve VIII, the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Nerves making up the auditory system

The auditory pathway in the human brain represents the sequence of structures and processes that transmit auditory information. It begins with the mechanical activation of hair cells, which generates neural impulses. These impulses travel along the auditory nerve to the brain. The auditory information is then shuttled sequentially to the inferior colliculus, the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus, and finally to the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe for higher-level processing.

Auditory Pathways in the human brain

People can discriminate changes in frequency between two tones by about 2 Hz for sounds up to 2000 Hz. Pitch relies on the subjective expereince of sound, which means frequency of sound is not the only determinant of pitch. There are two complementary ways that pitch information is encoded.

Encoding pitch information

Auditory signals are able to integrate information from both ears in order to identify the sourse of a sound. This helps with allerting danger, potential mates, or other situational information that is necessary for survival and normal activities throughout the day. Humans have an accuracy of about 1 degree horizontally around their head, and may animals demonstrate even higher accuracy. There are two types of binaural (two-ear)cues that help with localization on the horizontal plane; intensity and latency.

Auditory systems for localizing sound

Grinnell College

- How hearing functions in the ear
- Auditory signals
- Hearing loss
- Vestibular perception
- Vestibular system

Hearing and Vestibular perception

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Sound is caused by oscillation caused by a vibrating object

Physics of sound

How hearing functions in the ear

Vestibular perception allows humans to understand their body's position and movement in space, which is essential for balance. While this sensory information is typically processed without conscious awareness, its significance becomes evident during experiences like motion sickness or dizziness, which can arise from issues such as inner ear infections.

Vestibular perception

The vestibular system, with its major sensory organs in the inner ear (utricle, saccule, and semicircular canals), is crucial for maintaining balance. Beyond this, it also gathers essential information for controlling movement and triggering reflexes that adjust body parts in response to changes in position.

Vestibular system

Auditory signals 

Infants have diverse hearing capbilities in early life. If that hearing ability isn't used, for example if they have damage or deformity in their ears, their ability to distinguish or interpret sounds disappears. 

Musicians show higher sensitivity and activation to musical notes, with bigger differences in brain imaging if the musician was trained from an early age.

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