Explore the next scale
Examine frequency, basilar membrane motion and hair-cell activity in the Travelling Wave Lab →
Interactive signal pathway
Follow the signal
Select any stage or play the sequence. Timing is slowed for teaching; no audio is generated.
Trace the energy: acoustic → mechanical → electrochemical → neural.
Check your understanding
Where does the travelling wave occur?
Along the basilar membrane inside the cochlea.
Compare the pathways
| Pathway | Input to the cochlea | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Unaided hearing | Mechanical vibration | Hair-cell transduction |
| Air-conduction hearing aid | Amplified acoustic sound via the middle ear | Uses remaining cochlear function |
| Cochlear implant | Electrical pulses via an electrode array | Bypasses hair-cell transduction |