| Name: ______________________________ | Date: ______________ |
Instructions
- Act as a sound detective and trace how sound moves through the ear.
- Use precise anatomical names in your answers.
- Read each question carefully before answering.
- Remember that the outer, middle, and inner ear have different jobs.
Example: Which part of the ear vibrates when sound waves reach it: the cochlea, eardrum, or auditory nerve? Explain its role.
Answer: The eardrum vibrates when sound waves reach it. It passes these vibrations to the tiny bones of the middle ear.
Part 1: Outer Ear Clues
Complete each sentence with the correct structure or term.
1. The visible part of the ear that collects sound waves is the __________.
2. Sound travels through the ear canal until it reaches the __________.
3. The medical name for the visible, flap-like part of the ear is the __________.
4. The outer ear helps collect and funnel __________ toward the eardrum.
Part 2: Middle Ear Mechanics
Choose the best answer for each question.
5. Which group contains the three tiny bones of the middle ear?
| ○ A. Malleus, incus, and stapes | ○ B. Cochlea, vestibule, and canals |
| ○ C. Pinna, canal, and eardrum | ○ D. Retina, iris, and lens |
6. What is the common name for the malleus?
| ○ A. Hammer | ○ B. Anvil |
| ○ C. Stirrup | ○ D. Drum |
7. Which bone is also called the stirrup?
| ○ A. Malleus | ○ B. Incus |
| ○ C. Stapes | ○ D. Temporal bone |
8. What is one main job of the middle-ear bones?
| ○ A. Amplify and transmit vibrations | ○ B. Produce earwax |
| ○ C. Detect body temperature | ○ D. Create sound waves |
Part 3: Structure Function Match
Match each ear structure with its main function.
| 9. | Pinna | __________ | A. Carries hearing information to the brain |
| 10. | Eardrum | __________ | B. Collects and funnels sound waves |
| 11. | Cochlea | __________ | C. Help detect head movement and balance |
| 12. | Auditory nerve | __________ | D. Vibrates in response to sound |
| 13. | Semicircular canals | __________ | E. Changes vibrations into nerve signals |
Part 4: Inner Ear Investigation
Write True or False for each statement.
14. The cochlea is shaped like a small snail shell. True / False
15. The auditory nerve carries sound vibrations directly to the eardrum. True / False
16. Hair cells inside the cochlea help convert vibrations into electrical signals. True / False
17. The semicircular canals are mainly involved in hearing speech sounds. True / False
18. The inner ear contributes to both hearing and balance. True / False
Part 5: Trace the Sound Path (optional challenge)
Complete the missing parts of the sound pathway in order.
| Stage | Structure | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pinna | Collects sound waves |
| 2 | Carries sound waves inward | |
| 3 | Eardrum | |
| 4 | Transfers and amplifies vibrations | |
| 5 | Cochlea | |
| 6 | Carries signals to the brain |
Part 6: Explain Like a Scientist
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
20. Why would damage to the cochlea affect hearing? |
21. How are the eardrum and middle-ear bones connected in their jobs? |
22. Why can a problem with the auditory nerve cause hearing loss even if the outer ear works normally? |
Answer Key
| 1. | pinna |
| 2. | eardrum |
| 3. | auricle |
| 4. | sound waves |
| 5. | A (Malleus, incus, and stapes) |
| 6. | A (Hammer) |
| 7. | C (Stapes) |
| 8. | A (Amplify and transmit vibrations) |
| 9. | B (Collects and funnels sound waves) |
| 10. | D (Vibrates in response to sound) |
| 11. | E (Changes vibrations into nerve signals) |
| 12. | A (Carries hearing information to the brain) |
| 13. | C (Help detect head movement and balance) |
| 14. | True |
| 15. | False |
| 16. | True |
| 17. | False |
| 18. | True |
| 19a. | 2 · Ear canal · Carries sound waves inward |
| 19b. | 3 · Eardrum · Vibrates when sound waves arrive |
| 19c. | 4 · Middle-ear bones · Transfers and amplifies vibrations |
| 19d. | 5 · Cochlea · Changes vibrations into nerve signals |
| 19e. | 6 · Auditory nerve · Carries signals to the brain |
| 20. | The cochlea contains hair cells that change vibrations into nerve signals. Damage to these cells can reduce or prevent hearing. |
| 21. | The eardrum vibrates when sound waves hit it, and the middle-ear bones receive, amplify, and pass on those vibrations. |
| 22. | The auditory nerve must carry hearing signals from the cochlea to the brain. If it is damaged, the brain may not receive the signals. |