Where is hearing processed in the brain

For details, see below. The first relay, in common with the primary auditory pathway, locates in the cochlear nuclei brainstem. From there, the small fibers rejoin the ascending reticular pathway. In the reticular pathway of the brainstem and the mesencephalus, several synapses occur. It's here that the auditory information is integrated with all the other sensory modalities to be 'triaged' into which has the highest priority at any given moment. In other words, the reticular pathways participate with the wake and the motivation centres in selectioning the information that should be treated as priority by the brain.

After the reticular formation, the non-primary pathway leads to the non-specific thalamus , then to the polysensory cortex. By passing through various auditory pathways, the signals are decoded into sounds that we are familiar with and make sense to us.

The Auditory Brain Transformation and processing of sound generally occurs on three levels in the brain: As a reflex, in the auditory cortex and in other brain areas. Primary Auditory Pathway The processing of decoded sound material starts within the primary auditory pathway. Non-primary Auditory Pathways In contrast to the primary auditory pathway, non-primary auditory pathways process all sorts of sensory messages. Sources: www. Read also:. Get our news about hearing loss.

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Still others specialize in various combinations of tones. At higher levels in the brain, neurons can process harmony, rhythm, and melody. These neurons combine the different types of auditory information so you can recognize a voice or instrument.

While both sides of the brain process sound, the left side is typically responsible for understanding and producing speech. Brain damage can affect this process. A stroke, for example, may damage the left auditory cortex. Hearing loss is a frustrating challenge for many people, particularly older adults. It typically happens when hair cells, unable to regenerate , die off. Cell damage and loss accumulates over a lifetime, which is why older adults have trouble hearing, especially higher pitches.

Since hearing is such an informative sense for social situations and detecting danger, researchers are examining ways to restore it. This article was adapted from the 8th edition of Brain Facts by Marissa Fessenden.

Sandra Blumenrath Sandra H. Sandra lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband, daughter, and a tank full of fish. A beginner's guide to the brain and nervous system. A worldwide celebration of the brain that brings together scientists, families, schools, and communities during the third week in March. Join the Campaign. For Educators Log in.

Auditory nerve fibres transmit the signals sent from the cochlea to the brain. In the brain, numerous relay stations groups of neurones receive the signals and decode them soft or loud sound, high or low, its location etc.

In exchange, the brain can alter how the cochlea functions.