Question

Short answer questions: George is unable to hear high frequencies at all. He can hear mid-range frequencies if they are loud and can hear low frequencies just fine. For the following questions, be specific in cochlea location (apex, middle, base) and which hair cells (inner, outer, both) are damaged. Include your reasoning as to why you think this.

            A. Which parts of George’s cochlea are most likely damaged if he can’t hear high frequencies at all? Why?

            B. Which parts of George’s cochlea are most likely damaged if he can only hear mid-range frequencies when loud? Why?

Answer 1

A. ANSWER: High frequency sounds localise near the base of the cochlea. Hence the base of the cochlea is likely damaged so that the patient is not able to hear high frequency sounds.

B. ANSWER: Base and middle of the cochlea are damaged so that ye cannot hear high and mid frequency sounds clearly. Only the apex of the cochlea which is meant for low frequency sounds are functioning. It is beacuse the cochlear arrangements are such a way that the high frequency sounds are processed at the beginning of the cochlea itself with the help of short hair cells in it whereas the low frequency sounds are heard at the apex which is further inside with the help of relatively longer hair cells.