The inner ear transduces sound waves of inner ear fluid into afferent impulses in the auditory nerve by stimulation of the hair cells in the cochlea. Anatomy of cochlea Physiology Motion of stapes sets perilymphatic fluid in vestibule into motion. Vibrations travel through Reissner's membrane to endolymphatic fluid, and produce a traveling wave in the basilar membrane. As fluid is non-compressible, there must be another mobile wall to permit vibration. Round window serves this function.
Hair cells transform mechanical energy to electrical energy.
Usually a fluctuating hearing loss - may mimic Meniere's Treponemas may remain in endolymph after eradicated from other sites in the body. Definitive diagnosis can only be made by surgical exploration. Patient is usually admitted to the hospital for treatment. Acoustic nerve tumor Uncommon tumor. Usually arises in vestibular nerve and is schwannoma, or less often, neurilemmoma Usually present with hearing loss.