![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.entofathens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Young-girl-with-a-hand-to-her-ear-listening-.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen the barista at Hendershot\u2019s calls out your name, you understand the information in a fraction of a second, but the sound actually goes through a long and complicated process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the barista says your name, the sound waves travel through the air, entering your outer ear. These waves then strike the eardrum, causing it to vibrate in response. The ossicles (tiny bones in the middle ear) amplify the vibrations before sending them to the inner ear. When the amplified vibrations reach the inner ear, they enter the cochlea, a fluid-filled structure lined with approximately 16,000 microscopic hair cells. As the vibrations enter the cochlea, they cause the fluid inside to ripple, setting the hair cells in motion. The movement of these hair cells generates electrical signals, which are relayed to the brain via the auditory nerve. When the electrical signals reach the brain, you understand them as sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss occurs when any part of the hearing process is disrupted<\/a>. A few things that may disrupt the process include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may not be able to prevent all causes of hearing loss, like aging or otosclerosis, but a few ways you can protect your hearing include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Protecting Your Hearing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n