Auditory thresholds compatible with optimal speech reception likely evolved before the human-chimpanzee split.

ABSTRACT: The anatomy of the auditory region of fossil hominins may shed light on the emergence of human spoken language. Humans differ from other great apes in several features of the external, middle and inner ear (e.g., short external ear canal, small tympanic membrane, large oval window). However, the functional implications of these differences remain poorly understood as comparative audiometric data from great apes are scarce and conflicting. Here, we measure the sound transfer function of the external and middle ears of humans, chimpanzees and bonobos, using laser-Doppler vibrometry and finite element analysis. This sound transfer function affects auditory thresholds, which relate to speech reception thresholds in humans. Unexpectedly we find that external and middle ears of chimpanzees and b

SUBMITTER: Stoessel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10676368 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature