What happens when sound waves hit the tympanic membrane?

When sound waves hit the tympanic membrane, they cause vibrations. The tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum, is a thin, flexible membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. As sound waves travel through the air and make contact with the tympanic membrane, the pressure variations created by these waves lead to the membrane vibrating.

These vibrations are crucial because they initiate the process of sound transmission within the ear. Once the tympanic membrane vibrates, it transfers these vibrations to the ossicles (the tiny bones in the middle ear), which further amplify the sound and transmit it to the inner ear, where it can be processed by the auditory system. This mechanical conversion of sound waves into vibrations is the foundation for how we perceive sound.

Understanding this process is essential for grasping the broader concepts of auditory mechanics and how sound perception works in the human body.