ABSTRACT
The auditory system is a special somatic afferent (SSA) sys tem that transmits airborne vibrations via the external acous tic meatus, middle ear cavity and the perilymph to the organ of Corti. Mechanical displacement of the neuroepithelial hair cells is eventually converted into auditory impulses and con veyed via the cochlear nerve and ascending auditory path ways primarily to the contralateral primary and secondary auditory cortices via a chain of neurons in the brainstem and diencephalon. Auditory dysfunctions can occur as a result of a lesion of the cochlear nerve, auditory pathways, or auditory cortex. Auditory dysfunctions can occur in conjunction with vestibular dysfunctions.
