Description

Georg von Békésy (1899–1972) was a distinguished Hungarian biophysicist and Nobel laureate, recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1961 for his pioneering research on the physical mechanisms of hearing within the cochlea, the spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear.

Békésy's investigations were pivotal in advancing the understanding of auditory perception. His most notable contribution, the place theory of hearing, proposed that different frequencies of sound activate distinct regions along the basilar membrane of the cochlea. This theory transformed the comprehension of how the ear processes sound and laid the foundation for subsequent studies in auditory neuroscience.

Through meticulous experiments employing innovative techniques such as micromanipulation and direct observation of inner ear structures, Békésy provided profound insights into cochlear function and the auditory system, unraveling the intricacies of human hearing. Beyond his scientific achievements, he made significant contributions to education and academic leadership, mentoring numerous students and researchers in biophysics and auditory physiology.