Hearing and Perceptual Aspects of Sound

These flashcards cover the key concepts and terms relating to hearing and the perceptual aspects of sound as discussed in the lecture.

Hearing

The process by which we perceive sound, informing us about unseen events and enriching life through music and speech.

Sound (Physical definition)

Pressure changes in the air or other medium that serve as the stimulus for hearing.

Amplitude

The level or strength of a sound wave, measured in decibels (dB).

Frequency

The number of cycles of a sound wave per second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Perceptual definition of sound

The experience we have when we hear sound.

Loudness

The perceptual quality related to the level or amplitude of an auditory stimulus.

Pitch

The perceptual quality that allows sound to be classified as higher or lower.

Timbre

The quality that distinguishes two tones with the same loudness, pitch, and duration.

Equal loudness curves

Curves that show how different frequencies need to be adjusted to match perceived loudness of a standard tone.

Fundamental frequency

The lowest frequency of a sound wave, closely related to the perception of pitch.

Attack (of a sound)

The initial phase of a sound's life, from inaudible to its loudest point.

Decay (of a sound)

The time taken for a sound to fall from its peak loudness to the sustain level.

Sustain

The volume level maintained while a musical note is held down.

Release

The time it takes for a sound to fade completely after the key or note is released.

Audibility Curve

A threshold curve indicating hearing sensitivity in relation to frequency.

Auditory cortex

The part of the brain responsible for processing sound information from the ear.