Auditory Approach System and Functions.

 Auditory Approach System 

        

    is the sensory system for the sense of hearing this encapsulates the sensory organs and sensory system. The ear has three main parts outer, middle, and inner ear. 

   The outer ear (External Ear) consists of the auricle and the external auditory meatus, At the top, the auricle is surrounded by a lid-like structure. the bottom or inferior portion of the auricle has the ear lobe. The auricle of the ear is composed of elastic cartilage which gives it its unique flexibility. The auricle's main function is to gather data from the outside world and funnel it to the external auditory meatus. 

   The middle ear is separated from the external ear by the tympanic membrane (Ear Drum). As the sound gets funneled to the middle ear the eardrum vibrates and transfers the waves to the tiny bones called ossicles that lie in the tympanic cavity of the middle ear. There are three ossicles, and their names are Malleus (the hammer), The incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup.)The middle ear functions by converting energy from sound pressure waves to a force upon the liquid (Perilymph) of the oval window of the inner ear. The oval window is smaller than the tympanic membrane, so the force/pressure increases, therefore, being able to move the liquid within the inner ear. The middle ear also contains the Eustachian tube which connects the tympanic and nasal cavities. This function is to allow the middle air pressure to equalize between the ear and the throat.

    Lastly, the Inner Ear (Internal Ear)- detects sensory information for sound and balance. This part of the ear is responsible for balance/equilibrium and sound interpretation. The inner ear hosts the vestibule, semicircular canals, and the cochlea. The cochlea’s function is to convert sound pressure into electrochemical impulses to the brain by the auditory nerve (Vestibulocochlear Nerve-Cranial nerve XIII.)With all the anatomy being stated Auditory Approach system is how we hear and process things within the environment. When we hear future sounds it’s a warning of what may happen next. 

    Auditory warnings are for example a blind baseball player can hit the ball without seeing the ball because the warning is preconceived after the pitcher yells out audible cues. The baseball player is literally listening to the ball or connecting with the ball. This is relevant to Auditory approach warnings as well because the batter is conditioned to hearing the sounds set in place to hit the ball so the auditory system has already set in place auditory warnings.