How do our ears work? - Presentation

The intricacies of how sound is created and travels to our ears form an essential part of the Year 4 science curriculum. Sound originates from vibrations, which can occur in various mediums, typically air. These vibrations, or sound waves, travel from their source to our ears. The curriculum aims to teach pupils to identify the creation of sound through vibrations and understand how these vibrations travel through mediums. Moreover, students learn to recognise the relationship between the pitch of a sound and the physical characteristics of the object producing it, as well as the correlation between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that generated it. They also explore how the intensity of sound diminishes as it moves away from its source.

When delving into the function of the human ear, the curriculum breaks down the ear's anatomy into three main sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each part plays a critical role in the process of hearing. Sound waves enter through the outer ear and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then amplified by the ossicles – small bones known as the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes) – within the middle ear. The movement of the stirrup against the cochlea's membrane window causes the fluid inside the cochlea to move, stimulating the auditory nerve and enabling us to hear. Understanding the ear's individual components and their functions is key knowledge for Year 4 pupils, helping them to appreciate the complexity of how we perceive sound.