How the human ear functions: scientists have recently uncovered a hidden set of "modes" (photo included).

A team of scientists from Yale University aimed to understand how the inner ear can detect the faintest sounds, but the researchers stumbled upon something more intriguing. They discovered a potentially new method by which the human body actively manages sound waves and can help filter out extremely low frequencies, according to Science Alert.

According to co-author of the study, physicist Benjamin Macht, he and his colleagues decided to focus on understanding how the ear can tune in to detect weak sounds without becoming unstable and responding even in the absence of external noises. Ultimately, however, the scientists encountered an entirely new set of low-frequency mechanical modes that they believe are supported by the cochlea. The results of the study were published in PRX Life.

In their work, the researchers employed mathematical modeling of the auditory organ of perception, known as the cochlea. The authors of the study note that their findings reveal a new level of complexity in how human hearing actively manages sound waves to discern meaning from noise.

To become sounds that a person can hear, vibrations push and pull partially specific regions of tiny hair cells in the cochlear membrane, causing them to emit nerve signals that are transmitted to the brain.

These vibrations can easily dissipate as ripples move across the surface of the membrane, muffling tones and reducing volume. Previously, researchers had already determined that individual regions of the cochlear hair cells can amplify surface oscillations with precise, timely “strikes.” This assists us in hearing tones to which these regions are most sensitive.

Now, scientists have found that the ear appears to have a similar reflex that broadly tunes surface waves regardless of their pitch, finding a balance that eliminates unwanted noise without creating phantom sounds.

Super-sensitive hair cells lining the basilar membrane in the cochlea can operate both locally and more collectively. Models suggest that these super-sensitive hair cells adapt as needed to manage sound waves as they are converted into electrical signals.

The authors of the study emphasize that a key to the new findings is the discovery that large sections of the basilar membrane can combine and act as a cohesive unit for low-frequency sounds. This helps the cochlea better handle incoming vibrations and prevents the ear from becoming overwhelmed by loud noises.

According to another co-author of the study, theoretical biophysicist Isabella Graf, the results of the new research provide a much more detailed understanding of how the ear and cochlea function, as well as how hearing problems arise. Moreover, the scientists believe that their discovery offers new opportunities for future research into ear function.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict them. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For a diagnosis, be sure to consult a doctor.