PSB CH6 - AUDITION

Amplitude

Intensity of a sound wave; sounds of greater ___ generally sound louder.

Frequency

Number of sound wave compressions per second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Pitch

The perception of frequency; higher frequency results in higher ___.

Timbre

Tone quality or tone complexity of a sound.

Human Hearing Range

Most adult humans can hear sounds ranging from 15 to almost 20,000 Hz.

Place Theory

Theory that states each area along the basilar membrane is tuned to a specific frequency and vibrates whenever that frequency is present.

The fact that the various parts of the basilar membrane are tightly bound together is problematic for which of the following?​

What tunnels are the cochlea made up of?

the scala vestibuli, scala media, and scala tympani.

In the auditory system, hair cells are specialized receptors that respond to ____.​

sound vibrations/mechanical stimuli or displacement.

The current view of how we perceive high frequencies is based on ____.​

place theory, which suggests that different frequencies stimulate different locations along the basilar membrane.

Frequency Theory

Theory that we perceive pitches when the basilar membrane vibrates in synchrony with a sound, causing auditory nerve axons to produce action potentials at the same frequency.

Volley Principle

The auditory cortex can have volleys of impulses up to about 4000 per second, aiding pitch perception for sounds below that frequency.

Tone Deafness (Amusia)

A disorder characterized by the inability to detect small changes in frequency, often genetic in nature.

Absolute Pitch (Perfect Pitch)

The ability to hear a note and identify it accurately, influenced by genetic predisposition and extensive musical training.

Most auditory information is sent to the ___ side of the brain.

contralateral

Primary Auditory Cortex (Area A1)

The ultimate destination of auditory information located in the superior temporal cortex, important for auditory imagery and the development of the auditory system.

What is the role of the midbrain in auditory processing?

The midbrain allows for crossover, enabling each hemisphere of the forebrain to receive major auditory input from the opposite ear.

What is the primary auditory cortex (Area A1)?

the ultimate destination of auditory information, located in the superior temporal cortex, and is important for auditory imagery.

How does experience affect the auditory system?

The auditory system requires experience to develop normally; exposure to constant noise or lack of sound can impair its development.

What happens if there is damage to Area A1?

may hinder the ability to recognize combinations or sequences of sounds such as music or speech, but does not cause deafness.

What is a tonotopic map?

formed by cells that cluster together and respond preferentially to certain tones.

What types of sounds do cells outside Area A1 respond best to?

Cells outside Area A1 respond best to auditory 'objects' and analyzing the meaning of sounds.

Sound Localization

The process of determining the direction and distance of a sound by comparing responses from both ears.

Cues for Sound Localization

Methods include differences in time of arrival at each ear, differences in intensity between ears, and phase differences of sound waves.

Sound Shadow

A phenomenon where high-frequency sounds are louder in the ear closer to the sound source due to the head blocking some sound.

Frequency Accuracy in Localization

Adult humans are accurate at localizing sounds above 2000 to 3000 Hz and less accurate for lower frequencies.

The ___ helps us locate the source of a sound.

pinna

The eardrum vibrates at ____ of the sound waves that hit it

the same frequency

Where are the auditory receptor cells located?

in the cochlea of the inner ear.

What sound characteristics can be compared between the two ears to locate the source of the sound?​

loudness (intensity) and timing.