Pitch Perception and Hearing

Flashcards covering the basics of pitch perception, the auditory system, and hearing loss.

What is the function of hair cells in the cochlea?

To analyze different frequencies in complex sounds.

What is the Place Theory?

Hair cells in different parts of the cochlea analyze different frequencies.

What is phase locking, and up to what frequency does it work?

Inner hair cells fire at the same frequency as the stimulus; works up to 4,000 Hz.

Where do high-frequency sounds produce maximum displacement in the cochlea?

Near the base of the cochlea.

Where do low-frequency sounds produce maximum displacement in the cochlea?

Near the apex of the cochlea.

How are hair cell vibrations converted into nerve impulses?

Movement of hairs is converted into nerve impulses.

What does it mean that the cochlea is tonotopically organized?

Different locations in the cochlea respond to different frequencies.

What is the relevance of Russell and Sellick's 1977 research?

Hair cells are narrowly tuned to a narrow range of frequencies (guinea pig).

What does masking studies suggest about the basilar membrane?

Basilar membrane acts as a frequency analyzer.

According to Egan & Hake, 1950, what is the effect of masks on hearing?

Threshold increases most for frequencies nearest the mask, and the effect spreads more to high frequencies than low frequencies.

What do cells in A1 (primary auditory cortex) mainly respond to?

Tones of a particular frequency.

How are neurons arranged in A1?

In a gradient, with cells responding to low-frequency tones at the anterior end and cells responding to high-frequency tones at the posterior end.

What are the two pathways for hearing?

Ventral ('what') and Dorsal ('where') pathways.

What is the function of the Ventral pathway?

Processing 'what' the sound is (A1 to inferior parts of the frontal cortex via temporal cortex).

What is the function of the Dorsal pathway?

Processing 'where' the sound is (A1 to superior parts of the frontal cortex via parietal cortex).

What are the deficits associated with damage to the temporal lobe and the parietal/frontal lobe regarding hearing?

Temporal lobe: Poor pitch recognition. Parietal/frontal lobe: Poor sound localization.

What does the missing fundamental phenomenon show about pitch perception?

Pitch perception depends on top-down processes and is centrally processed in the cortex.

What is conductive or middle ear deafness?

Sound fails to reach the cochlea due to issues in the middle ear.

What is nerve or inner ear deafness?

Damage to the cochlea, hair cells, or auditory nerve.

What is tinnitus?

Ringing in the ears, often associated with hearing loss.

How do cochlear implants work?

Microphone picks up sound, sent to sound processor, then to external coil, then to internal coil, which sends info to electrodes in cochlea; auditory nerve picks up the signal.

Which type of patient benefits most from a cochlear implant?

People with speech perception before deafness.

What does the outer ear consist of?

Pinna, auditory canal

What does tonotopic organization of the cochlea mean?

High frequency sounds stimulate the base of the cochlea more than the apex.

Approximately what percentage of auditory information crosses to the other side of the brain, and where does this crossing occur?

80%; pons