# Describe how the loudness and frequency of a sound are represented in the vibrations of the eardrum, and explain why very loud sounds can cause permanent hearing damage.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.10.2 Physics of the Ear · Describe and Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The amplitude of eardrum vibration increases as loudness (sound intensity) increases
2. The frequency of eardrum vibration matches the frequency of the incoming sound wave
3. Very loud sounds cause the eardrum or ossicles to vibrate with very large amplitude
4. These large amplitude vibrations can damage the hair cells in the cochlea
5. Damaged hair cells cannot regenerate / are permanently lost, so hearing is permanently reduced

## Key terms

- [eardrum](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/eardrum)
- [frequency](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/frequency)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-how-the-loudness-and-frequency-e6cf5f0f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.