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NIH Curriculum Supplement for Middle School

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Download Teacher's Guide PDF 2.7 MB
State Standards (Accessible)
State Standards
(Print Version PDF)
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How Your Brain Understands What Your Ear Hears

Grades 7- 8

Investigate the multisensory process of human communication and understand the fundamentals of sound and how to prevent hearing loss.

Activities
Learning Focus
1. Getting the MessageLearn that hearing involves sound, while understanding involves the brain.
2. Sound CommunicationExplore the multisensory nature of human communication and the three types of sounds: environmental, vocal, and musical.
3. Do You Hear What I Hear?Investigate and explain the characteristics of sound, such as loudness and pitch.
4. A Black Box Problem: How Do I Hear?Connect the structure of the ear with previously introduced concepts of sound and communication.
5. Too Loud, Too Close, Too LongApply concepts and skills to solve a problem, namely reducing the risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
Supplement cover page for 'How Your Brain Understands What Your Ear Hears'
NIDCD Website
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
“Nice reflection on self-issues of hearing. Many students are amazed at how many times they might be causing damage.” --Field-test Teacher

“The voice tracks of different languages appeal to a multicultural population of students.” --Field-test Teacher

“I learned a lot about how hearing works and what you can do to keep it working well.” --Field-test Student
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