Abstract
In evaluating the role of the outer ear, Hensen (1879) concluded that the pinnae are not completely useless for hearing acuity and auditory perception, but their contributions are minor. Similar statements have been made repeatedly in the past by those working in audition. Contributors to present-day editions of physiology handbooks express the same view if, indeed, they refer to the pinnae at all. Generally speaking, they are correct. But, the extent to which the outer ear does influence hearing requires elaboration. In the course of doing this, it will be seen that in some situations the outer ear’s contribution is critical for accurate auditory discrimination.
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Butler, R.A. (1975). The Influence of the External and Middle Ear on Auditory Discriminations. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (eds) Auditory System. Handbook of Sensory Physiology, vol 5 / 2. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65995-9_6
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