EHEP

Hearing

 

(Grades K-12)

Objectives:  Students should be able to:
  1. Discuss how sound is produced and transmitted.
  2. Identify parts of the ear and understand how they work.
  3. Understand noise pollution and how it affects the body.
Major Concept:

Hearing:
Usefulness

The Auditory System:
Anatomy
External ear
Middle ear
Inner ear
Ear drum, Hammer, anvil, stapes
Cochlea
Hair Cells
Semicircular canals
Auditory nerve
Ears of other animals

Sound production and transmission:
Waves – propagation, transverse, longitudinal, wave length
Vibrations
Pitch, frequency
Volume, amplitude
Decibels
Pressure

Sound types:
Calming, upsetting
Constant, interfering, disagreeable

Noise Pollution:
Definition
Causes

Sources: Point; Non-point
Effects of noise pollution on the auditory system
Hearing loss – mechanical, sensori-neural
Pain
How to protect against noise pollution
Diseases of Auditory System
Deafness
Arthritis
Importance of the ear in equilibrium

Materials for in-class activities:

Diagrams/Photos of Auditory system
Chart on sound levels
Diagrams of waves
Ear model (plastic)
Tuning fork
Flexible metal ruler
Large slinky
Long spring
Chromatic tuner
Bull Horn
Sound level meter
Glass vase, stemmed
Public Health Literacy handout on Noise Pollution

Student In-class Activities:

Students examine a large ear model and learn how the ear works
Tuning fork demonstration – vibrations, pitch, volume
Demonstration of sound transmission
Students use a long spring and large slinky to demonstrate wave propagation (transverse, longitudinal)
Demonstration of frequency using chromatic tuner
Use of sound level meter is demonstrated – discussion of noise levels, decibels
Demonstration of sound production using glass vase
Discussion of various noises – types and levels
Students demonstrate ways to abate loud sounds

Program Enrichment:

Follow-up Activities for classroom or home:
Construct different types of sound makers
Make sound deadening objects
Play sound identification games
Discover what is the lowest, softest and highest sound you can hear
Discuss hearing tests with the school nurse
Study hearing of other animals
Measure sound levels in neighborhood/school/home
Analyze sounds from different machines, occupationsSelected websites:
http://www.cochlea.org/
http://www.nonoise.org/index.html
http://www.quiet.org/
http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/MoreExperimentsSortCategory.htm

Program links to:  Health, physics, math, environmental science, literacy, technology