How the ear detects the pitch of sound

1. Cochlea and Hair Cells:
   • The cochlea, a small spiral structure in the inner ear, plays a crucial role in pitch detection.
   • Inside the cochlea are hair cells, which are sensitive to different sound frequencies.
   • These hair cells have microscopic hair-like protrusions called stereocilia.
2. Tuning and Location:
   • High-pitched sounds activate hair cells with shorter hair bundles, located near the entrance of the cochlea (closer to where sound enters the ear).
   • Lower-pitched sounds activate hair cells with taller hair bundles, located further inside the cochlea.
   • this pattern progresses through thousands of hair cells, each tuned to specific frequencies
3. Information Processing:
   • When you hear different sounds, not every hair cell responds. Only the ones sensitive to specific sound frequencies get activated.
   • The brain gathers information about pitch based on the position of these activated hair cells.

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Dr. Bbosa Science