MECHANISM OF HEARING AND AUDITORY PATHWAY

MECHANISM OF HEARING AND AUDITORY PATHWAY

Hearing is the physiological process of perceiving sound through the auditory system. It involves the transmission and transduction of sound waves into electrical signals, which are interpreted by the auditory cortex of the brain. In Ayurveda, hearing is associated with the Shabda Indriya, which is a function of Akasha Mahabhuta and is governed by Vata Dosha, particularly Prana Vata and Vyana Vata.

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
शब्दस्य ग्रहणं यत् च श्रोत्रं तदिन्द्रियम् स्मृतम्।
(च.सू.८/१४)
Shrotra is the organ responsible for perceiving sound (Shabda).

ANATOMY OF THE EAR

• The ear is divided into three major parts:

  • External Ear – auricle (pinna) and external auditory canal

  • Middle Ear – tympanic membrane and auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes)

  • Inner Ear – cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals

MECHANISM OF HEARING

EXTERNAL EAR FUNCTION

• Collects and directs sound waves into the external auditory canal.

• Sound waves strike the tympanic membrane and cause it to vibrate.

MIDDLE EAR FUNCTION

• Vibrations from the tympanic membrane are transmitted to the ossicles.

• The ossicles amplify the vibrations and transmit them to the oval window of the cochlea.

• The tensor tympani and stapedius muscles protect the ear from loud sounds by dampening movement of ossicles (acoustic reflex).

INNER EAR FUNCTION (COCHLEA)

• The cochlea contains perilymph (in scala vestibuli and scala tympani) and endolymph (in scala media).

• Vibrations transmitted to the oval window create pressure waves in perilymph.

• These waves cause displacement of Basilar membrane where hair cells of Organ of Corti are located.

• The tectorial membrane contacts hair cells, leading to their deflection.

• Deflection opens mechanically gated ion channels → leads to depolarization of hair cells.

• Neurotransmitter (glutamate) release stimulates afferent neurons of cochlear nerve.

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

• Hearing (Shabda Grahanam) is carried out by the Shrotrendriya, one of the Jnaneindriyas.

• The function of hearing is governed by Vata Dosha:

  • Prana Vata – responsible for reception and interpretation of sound

  • Vyana Vata – supports conduction within the neural structures

• Srotas involved: Shrotrendriya Vaha Srotas, with roots in Shravanendriya and Mastulunga

• Manas (mind) and Buddhi (intellect) also contribute in final perception.

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
प्राणो हि देवः सन्नानं स्रोत्रस्य च विवृत्तये।
(च.शा.६/१३)
Prana Vata enables the activation of hearing function.

AUDITORY PATHWAY (MODERN PHYSIOLOGY)

1. RECEPTOR LEVEL

• Hair cells in Organ of Corti (spiral organ) act as auditory receptors.

2. FIRST ORDER NEURONS

• Bipolar neurons in spiral ganglion of cochlea.

• Their central processes form the cochlear nerve, part of cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve).

3. SECOND ORDER NEURONS

• Located in cochlear nuclei in medulla.

• Axons project bilaterally to the superior olivary complex and lateral lemniscus.

4. THIRD ORDER NEURONS

• Neurons of inferior colliculus in the midbrain.

5. FOURTH ORDER NEURONS

• From inferior colliculus to the medial geniculate body of thalamus.

6. FINAL PROJECTION

• From medial geniculate body to the primary auditory cortex (Area 41 and 42) in the temporal lobe (superior temporal gyrus).

FEATURES OF THE AUDITORY PATHWAY

• Partial decussation (crossing) occurs → bilateral representation of auditory signals

• Helps in sound localization

• Maintains auditory reflexes and alertness to sound (via reticular formation)

SANSKRIT REFERENCE
न हि मनः श्रवणं विना शब्दं ज्ञातुं शक्यते।
(च.सू.१/५८)
Sound (Shabda) cannot be perceived without the involvement of the hearing organ.

CLINICAL CORRELATION

• Conduction deafness: Due to defects in external or middle ear (e.g., otosclerosis, tympanic membrane rupture)

• Sensorineural deafness: Damage to hair cells or auditory nerve (e.g., Meniere’s disease, noise-induced hearing loss)

• Central deafness: Lesions in the auditory pathway beyond cochlear nucleus (rare due to bilateral supply)