Auditory System and Language Learning

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on the auditory system and language acquisition, helping students to study key terms and their definitions.

External hair cells

Hair cells in the cochlea that respond to pressure from the basilar membrane, sending action potentials to the brain.

Internal hair cells

Hair cells in the cochlea that respond to pressure from the tectorial membrane, transmitting sound information.

Transduction

The process by which mechanical pressure is converted into electrical activity in the auditory system.

Action potentials

Electrical impulses generated by hair cells in response to sound vibrations.

Auditory nerve

The nerve that carries auditory information from the inner ear to the brain.

Bipolar cells

Neurons that connect hair cells to the auditory nerve, aiding in signal transmission.

Cochlear nucleus

A structure in the brainstem where auditory signals from the auditory nerve are first processed.

Thalamus

The relay station for all sensory information, except for smell, transmitting signals to various brain areas.

Inferior colliculus

A region in the thalamus involved in auditory processing.

Medial geniculate nucleus

Part of the thalamus that processes auditory information before it reaches the auditory cortex.

Superior olivary complex

A brainstem structure that helps locate sound by processing information from both ears.

Interaural time difference

The difference in arrival time of a sound at each ear, used to localize sound source.

Conductive hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the outer or middle ear, affecting sound wave transmission.

Olfactory signals

Sensory information pertaining to smell, which does not pass through the thalamus.

Cochlea

The spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals.

Shearing action

The movement of hair cells in the cochlea caused by sound waves, triggering neurotransmitter release.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by hair cells that transmit auditory signals to bipolar cells.

Health outcomes

Consequences of hearing loss that may affect overall health, including cognitive functions.

Dementia

A cognitive decline associated with memory loss and impaired reasoning, linked to hearing difficulties.

Social isolation

The withdrawal from social interactions, often resulting from hearing difficulties.

Language acquisition

The innate ability of humans to learn and produce language, typically developed in early childhood.

Universal language

The concept that all human cultures possess some form of language.

Tabula rasa

The theory that the human mind is a blank slate at birth, shaped entirely by experience.

Innate predisposition

The inborn tendency of humans to learn languages easily.

Chomsky and Pinker

Linguists who proposed that language ability is hardwired into the human brain.

Language learning age window

The critical period (ages 1-6) during which language acquisition occurs most easily.

Aphasia

The inability to speak or produce language despite having normal comprehension.

Speech therapy

A type of treatment aimed at improving communication abilities, especially for individuals with aphasia.

Neural mechanisms

The brain structures and processes involved in acquiring and using language.

Isolated populations

Groups of people that have had little to no contact with the outside world, yet possess their own languages.

Language rules

The grammatical structures and patterns that govern how languages are formed and used.

Second language learning

The process of acquiring a new language beyond one's native language.

Sound waves

Vibrations that travel through the air and are detected by the ear.

Cochlear nerve

A branch of the auditory nerve that transmits sound information to the brain.

Vibration transmission

The passage of sound waves through different parts of the ear before reaching the brain.

Early language exposure

The significant impact of hearing and processing language at a young age on language acquisition.

Hearing aids

Devices designed to assist individuals with hearing loss to perceive sounds.

Cognitive effects

The impact of hearing loss on memory, thought processes, and social cognition.

Brain plasticity

The ability of the brain to adapt and reorganize itself, especially in response to speech therapy.

Acoustic signals

The sounds that travel through the air and are captured by the ear.

Language instinct

The natural inclination and ability of humans to acquire complex language systems.

Communication barriers

Challenges in transmitting and receiving information due to hearing loss or speech difficulties.

Children's learning efficiency

The ease with which children acquire language skills compared to adults.

Health predictive indicators

Factors that can indicate the risk of various health conditions based on hearing capabilities.

Auditory processing

The brain's method of interpreting sounds, including speech and environmental noises.

Expressive language

The ability to convey thoughts and ideas through spoken or written language.

Language universals

Common features found across all human languages that indicate innate language capacity.

Stratospheric body

Muscle structures attached to the ear that help facilitate sound transmission.

Action potential generation

The process by which hair cells transform mechanical vibration into electrical signals.

Linguistic ability

The capacity to understand, produce, and manipulate language.

Critical period hypothesis

The theory that language acquisition must occur within a specific age range for optimal development.

Neurological pathways

Connections in the brain that facilitate communication and information processing.