Hearing

Related Topics Language Vision Taste Smell
Image of hair cells
Your Ears' Digitizers
You have this tiny corkscrew to thank for every song you’ve ever heard.
  • BrainFacts/SfN
Your selections: Hearing
The Senses — A Primer (Part II)
Although sensory systems share basic features of organization, each is uniquely designed to respond to a particular aspect of the world.
  • The Dana Foundation
The Senses — A Primer (Part I)
Through complex systems that begin with cells that respond to physical stimuli and send signals through a maze of brain circuits, we can know — both consciously and otherwise — what goes on around us and within our bodies.
  • The Dana Foundation
Synesthesia
Imagine hearing a bird chirp and seeing the color yellow. This is what life may be like for someone with synesthesia. Explore the unique experiences of a synesthete and learn more about this rare condition.
  • BrainFacts/SfN
  • 5 min
Sound Science: Where Did That Noise Come From?
Why do we have two ears instead of just one? Try this activity and find out.
  • Scientific American
Brain and Behavior Lesson Plan
Students are introduced to brain structure, neurotransmitters, hormones, and neural networks in this nine part lesson.
  • Baylor College of Medicine
The Sound Spiral
The cochlea performs an amazing feat: translating vibrations in the air into signals the brain recognizes as sound.
  • BrainFacts/SfN
The Cocktail Party Problem
Despite the swanky name, the cocktail party problem has nothing to do with martinis. It’s a term scientists use to refer to the brain’s ability to tune in to a single voice.
  • BrainFacts/SfN
An Ocean of Sensations
The brain receives information about the outside world via the senses. But how much of this information do we actually notice?
  • BrainFacts/SfN
Mapping the Air
Research into the razor-sharp hearing of barn owls reveals how we create mental maps of space and may lead to hearing loss solutions.
  • BrainFacts/SfN
What does it mean to have synesthesia?
Synesthesia is a condition in which stimulation of one sense automatically evokes a perception in an unstimulated sense.
  • BrainFacts/SfN
Hearing
Often considered the most important sense for humans, hearing allows us to communicate with each other by receiving sounds and interpreting speech.
  • BrainFacts/SfN
Dangerous Decibels
The Virtual Exhibit is a collection of games, demonstrations, and activities for students to learn about sources and effects of protection from dangerous sounds.
  • Oregon Health and Science University

3D Brain

An interactive brain map that you can rotate in a three-dimensional space.
Interact with the Brain

Best of BrainFacts Newsletter

Our editors' picks from this month's articles.

SIGN UP

Ask An Expert

Ask a neuroscientist your questions about the brain.

Submit a Question

Image of the Week

Check out the Image of the Week Archive.

Explore

FOUNDING PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Some pages on this website provide links that require Adobe Reader to view.

Copyright © Society for Neuroscience