auditory nerve

noun

: either of the eighth pair of cranial nerves connecting the inner ear with the brain and transmitting impulses concerned with hearing and balance see ear illustration

Examples of auditory nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As sound waves stimulate the auditory nerve to send information to the brain, the nerve emits an electric signal. —Byhannah Richter, science.org, 30 July 2024

The device, which uses electrodes to stimulate auditory nerves in the inner ear, allows patients to hear sounds, especially those needed to understand speech. —Gina Kolata, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024

Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that stimulate the auditory nerve to provide a sense of sound to its wearer. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2024

The hair cells send their signals through the auditory nerve to the brain. —Jeffrey Kluger, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

auditory nerve

noun

: a nerve connecting the inner ear with the brain and carrying nerve impulses concerned with hearing and balance

Medical Definition

auditory nerve

noun

: either of the eighth pair of cranial nerves connecting the inner ear with the brain, transmitting impulses concerned with hearing and balance, and composed of the cochlear nerve and the vestibular nerve

called also acoustic nerve, auditory, eighth cranial nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve