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How do the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles contribute to the appropriate intensity modulation of incoming auditory stimuli?

A. By producing a closed-tube resonator which enhances sounds of specific frequencies

B. By altering the acoustic impedance within the ear, which impacts the amount of an auditory stimulus that is reflected

C. By generating the middle-ear reflex in response to particularly high-intensity stimuli

D. By magnifying the force generated per unit of membrane area in the ear by a given auditory stimulus

Answer :

The tensor tympani and stapedius muscles create the middle-ear reflex to protect the inner ear by reducing the transmission of sound vibrations in response to loud noises, thereby contributing to the modulation of sound intensity in the auditory system. So, the correct answer is option c) By generating the middle-ear reflex in response to particularly high intensity stimuli.

The tensor tympani and stapedius muscles contribute to the modulation of intensity for incoming auditory stimuli by generating the middle-ear reflex. This reflex helps protect the inner ear from potential damage due to high-intensity sounds. When loud noises occur, the muscles contract and stiffen the ossicular chain. This effectively reduces the movement of the ossicles, including the malleus which the tensor tympani connects to, and the stapes, which is connected to the stapedius. The result is a decrease in the transmission of vibrational energy to the inner ear, dampening the sound by about 15 dB. The muscles' contraction occurs with a slight delay, allowing them to help protect against sustained loud noises rather than sudden bursts of sound.

Without this regulatory mechanism, sound pressure levels could overwhelm the sensory cells within the cochlea, leading to potential hearing loss. Additionally, the ear naturally amplifies sound waves due to the action of the ossicles and the difference in size between the tympanic membrane and the oval window. By concentrating the force from the larger tympanic membrane onto the smaller oval window, sound pressure is increased, allowing for proper transmission into the fluid-filled cochlea for detection by receptive cells. The middle-ear muscles modulate this amplification when necessary, particularly in response to intense sound. So, the correct answer is option c) By generating the middle-ear reflex in response to particularly high intensity stimuli.

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Rewritten by : Brahmana