facebook
1%
Processing, please wait...
It was processed successfully!
It was processed successfully!
Login Create Free Account
Create Free Account

Hearing Definition

Hearing is using our ears to listen to sound. For example, hearing music.

View Lesson on Introduction to Sound
Grades K-2 VideoIntroduction to Sound player orange
Preview Only
Oops! It looks like your security settings are blocking this video 🙁

If you are on a school computer or network, ask your tech person to whitelist these URLs:
*.wistia.com, fast.wistia.com, fast.wistia.net, embedwistia-a.akamaihd.net

Sometimes a simple refresh solves this issue. If you need further help, contact us.

 

Introduction to Sound

Fun Facts

  • Vibrations are what let us hear each other speak.
  • When air is blown through a clarinet or saxophone, the reed produces vibrations you can hear.
  • We hear sound with our sense of hearing, which is made possible by our ears.

Why Do We Need To Know About Hearing

Learning about how we hear is important for jobs in teaching, giving advice, and talking with others. Knowing that vibrations from sounds let us hear what someone is saying is important in these jobs.

This knowledge is also key in music, making and fixing audio equipment, and in science projects that use sound. For example, when you know that thicker strings on a guitar vibrate slower and make a different sound, you see how hearing affects making music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t we always see vibrations that sounds make?
They can happen really fast, sometimes thousands of times each second.
If we can’t see vibrations, how do we know they are happening?
We can make vibrations visible in many ways such as using a tuning fork and putting it in water. You can also feel your own throat while humming or putting paint inside a speaker. You can also film things vibrating with a special slow motion camera.
Why do we feel vibrations when we hum?
When your vocal cords vibrate, they make sound. Anytime you speak, your vocal cords are vibrating. The shape of your tongue and mouth also help you make different sounds.
Explore More Science Topics
X
Success
We’ve sent you an email with instructions how to reset your password.
Ok
x
Choose Your Free Trial Period
3 Days

3 days to access to all of our teaching resources for free.

Continue to Lessons
30 Days

Get 30 days free by inviting other teachers to try it too.

Share with Teachers
Get 30 Days Free
By inviting 4 other teachers to try it too.
4 required

*only school emails accepted.

Skip, I will use a 3 day free trial

Thank You!

Enjoy your free 30 days trial