cochlea

Everyday

1. The cochlea is a small, spiral-shaped tube in the inner ear, shaped like a snail shell and filled with liquid. tree →
2. It turns sound vibrations into nerve signals that travel to the brain so we can hear. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on hearing the ear has three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear (eardrum and tiny bones) and the inner ear (cochlea). Tiny hair cells inside the cochlea can be damaged by very loud noise, which causes hearing loss, so ear protection matters. A cochlear implant helps some deaf people hear. Phrases: inner ear, cochlear implant, hair cells.

Examples

• The cochlea is shaped like a snail shell. tree →
• Sound makes the liquid in the cochlea move. tree →
• Hair cells in the cochlea send signals to the brain. tree →
• Very loud music can damage the cochlea. tree →
• My cousin has a cochlear implant that helps him hear. tree →
• The cochlea is in the inner ear, deep inside the skull. tree →
• Wear ear defenders at loud events to protect your cochlea. tree →

Note

Pronounced KOK-lee-uh. Plural cochleae or cochleas. Adjective: cochlear (a cochlear implant). The name comes from Greek for snail.