Hearing

frequency (pitch)

the number of complete wavelengths that pass a point in a given time is measured in hertz (Hz)

shorter the waves…

higher the pitch

longer the waves…

lower the pitch

intensity (loudness)

amount of energy in a wave determined by amplitude

related to perceived loudness

loudness is measured in…

decibels

cochlea

coiled, bony, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear that transduces sound vibration to auditory signals

frequency theory

the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of tone, thus enabling us to sense its pitch

place theory

links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochlea’s membrane is stimulated

explains how we hear high-pitched sounds, but not how we hear low-pitched sounds because the neural signals generated by low pitch sounds aren’t so neatly localized on the basilar membrane

locating sounds

because we have two ears, sounds that reach one ear faster than the other cause us to localize the sound

noise-induced hearing loss

the progressive inability to detect higher frequency sounds due to damage to the hair cells accrued over time and with use

conduction deafness

hearing loss caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea

conduction deafness treatment

surgery or hearing aids

sensorineural deafness

hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea’s receptor cells or to the auditory nerve, also called nerve deafness

sensorineural deafness treatment

NA, permanent condition

cochlear implant

a device that can be used to covert sounds into electrical signals and stimulate the auditory nerve through electrodes threaded into the cochlea

cannot restore normal hearing

outer ear

part of the ear that traps sound waves + channels them to our auditory canal to our eardrum

**think funnel

outer ear parts

pinna, auditory canal, and eardrum

the pinna

made up of cartilage

fleshy outer part of the ear

auditory canal

part of the ear in which sound waves travel

the eardrum

membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it

middle ear

transmits the vibrations of the eardrum through a piston

from there, they pass on to the cochlea

what are the 3 parts the piston is made up of

hammer, anvil, and stimp

inner ear

inner most part of the ear that contains the cochlea, semicircular canals, + vestibular socks (balance)

part of the ear where transduction happens when it comes to transducing sound

True

T/F: the inner ear converts sound waves into neural messages that our brain can make sense of

basilar membrane

membrane located that vibrates in response to sound

• vibrations lead to activity in auditory pathways

• all of this is going to be sent to the auditory nerve