[Resonance: a study of the outer ear].
BACKGROUND
Several physical phenomena are involved in hearing. In the process of sound conduction through the outer ear, resonance is one of the factors that deserves careful consideration.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the structures of the outer ear, and to carry out a comparative study between the resonance in the sound tubes and the resonance in the ear canal. The present study also aims to demonstrate how important physics is for the understanding of hearing, applying its bases to audiology.


CONCLUSIONS
It was observed that the frequencies of resonance of the outer ear vary between 2,500 and 3,500 Hz (reaching up to 4,000 Hz) for F1, and between 7,500 and 10,500 Hz (reaching up to 12,000 Hz) for F3. Surprisingly, these frequencies match some of the most affected frequencies in cases of noise-induced hearing loss, demonstrating the need and relevance of practical researches in this area.
Menezes
Pedro de Lemos
Pde L
Disciplina Física Acústica e Psicoacústica da Faculdade de Fonoaudiologia de Alagoas-Fundação Universitária de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas. son@hotlink.com.br
Cabral
Aline
A
Morais
Leônidas da Silva
Lda S
Rocha
Luciana Pinto
LP
Passos
Vivian
V
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000162:Acoustics; D001299:Audiometry; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans