The pinna is the formal term for the body part that is commonly referred to as the 'ear'. This is the portion of the ear that projects from the head. This is the first point of contact with air vibrations that will enter the ear canal to pass their vibrations onto the eardrum. The tympanic membrane the formal term for the eardrum. From here, the auditory ossicles are vibrated. These are the three, minute bones found within the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These three bones transmit the vibrations onto the oval window of the cochlea, which contains the basilar membrane, where transduction of the physical information occurs.

Thus the correct order is: pinna, tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, and cochlea.

The frequency of a vibration corresponds to the pitch of the perceived sound produced from it. Higher frequencies will produce higher pitched notes, while lower frequencies will produce lower pitched notes. On the other hand, the amplitude of a sound wave will determine the volume of a perceived sound. Timbre is a complex component of a sound, and is the result of a variety of other elements. To provide a brief illustration however, timbre explains why a G# note on a trumpet sounds distinct from a G# note played on a piano. The longevity of a note is not the result of either the frequency or the amplitude of a sound. This is simply determined by how long the vibration continues.

The frequency of a sound wave, or the pace of its vibrations within the ear, will determine the sound's pitch. The sound's loudness is determined by the amplitude of the sound wave, the timbre by its complexity.

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and often results from the loss or damage to hair cells or the nerve from the ear to the brain. For this reason, it occurs from damage to the inner ear, where the nerve and hair cells are located. Damage to the middle ear would result in conductive hearing loss. Damage to the outer ear, would likely result in decreased sound localization. 

Sound waves are pressure changes and loudness is related to the amplitude of the wave. It is quantified by the decibel (dB). Pascal is the standard unit for pressure. Whereas, Hertz is used to quantify frequencies and an octave is a doubling in frequency. Meters/second describes the speed at which sound propagates.

Addison's disease, a chronic disorder of the endocrine system, is caused by an inability of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient steroid hormones (specifically, two types of necessary natural corticosteroids). In addition to causing renal insufficiency and muscle weakness, Addison's has been known to idiopathically—through an unknown mechanism—hyper-sensitize one or more senses in the body, most commonly taste.

The receptors for salty and sour are believed to be ion sensors. MSG stimulates receptors corresponding to unami. PROP causes an intense bitter sensation in "supertasters." Sweet and bitter receptors are believed to be similar to odorant receptors because molecules dock on transmembrane receptors in order to initiate an action potential.

Assuming that a food critic or wine taster most values their ability to perceive the flavors and aromas of these consumable items, then a loss of their sense of smell—olfactory loss—would be the greatest of these misfortunes they could suffer. The vestibular sense is that which informs us as to the orientation of our bodies in space. The semicircular canals contribute to this sense, and are housed within the inner ears. The loss of this sense might not compromise a food critic or wine taster as severely in their professional life. The striate cortex is a key component of the visual cortex, and damage therein would likely result in partial or total blindness. This would not hinder the food critic or wine taster's abilities to perceive their foods or wines however.

There are about three hundred and fifty receptor types involved in olfaction. Each receptor responds to more than one molecule, but with different strengths. Receptors make their first synapse with glomeruli, but each glomerulus receives input from only one type of receptor.

The Moro reflex (also called the "startle reflex") generally lasts in newborns until the age of six months. When startled, a newborn exhibiting the Moro reflex will throw its head back and its arms and legs out simultaneously, cry, then pull its limbs back in.