The oval window of the cochlea receives pressure from the stapes as the ossicles move. This pressing action causes the fluid inside the cochlea to move.

Oval Window

The stapes is one of the three small bones, known as ossicles, located in the middle ear. It plays a crucial role in hearing by receiving vibrations from the other ossicles and transmitting them to the inner ear by pressing against the oval window of the cochlea.

Stapes

A medical condition causes the three small bones in the middle ear to become rigid and unable to move freely in response to sound. What is the most direct consequence of this condition on the process of hearing?

The ossicles are structures that move in response to vibrations from the eardrum. As they move, the stapes presses against the oval window of the cochlea.

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Grinnell College

The middle ear is the central section of the ear, situated between the eardrum and the inner ear. It contains three tiny bones collectively known as the ossicles: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).

Middle Ear

The eardrum vibrates when sound waves are funneled into the auditory canal. These vibrations are subsequently transferred to the ossicles to continue the hearing process.

Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)

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

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Ossicles

The tensor tympani is attached to the malleus bone, while the stapedius is connected to the stapes bone. 



The muscles improve auditory perception and protect the inner ear from potentially damaging sounds. When there is a loud sound, the muscles tense via the reflex arc. When the muscles tense, the chain of ossicles transmit less energy, causing the vibration of sounds transmitted to the inner ear to be reduced. Self-made sounds are also reduced, which means the sound of our moving head, swallowing motions, or voice are dampened to the levels most people are used to. The muscles activate moments before we produce self-made sounds such as coughing.

Muscles of the middle ear

Based on the provided scenario, explain how the normal function of the three tiny bones in the middle ear contributes to hearing and why their inability to move would cause the reported symptoms.

Middle Ear Function and Hearing Impairment

A patient experiences a significant thickening and stiffening of the thin membrane that separates the outer ear canal from the middle ear. Based on the primary function of this structure, what is the most immediate and direct impact on their hearing?

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