Hearing Notes 10/18

audition: energy of vibrating objects such as guitar strings

frequency: number of complete wavelengths, determines pitch of a sound (hertz)

amplitude: how loud the sound is, the higher the crest the louder the sound (decibels)

incoming vibrations cause the oval window to vibrate, moving the fluid that fills the tube in the basilar membrane (hair cells)

middle ear (transmits vibrations)→ eardrum → hammer → anvil → stirrup → cochlea’s membrane (oval window)

movement of hair cells triggers neural impulses (transduction) which trigger the nerve fibers next to the cochlea which pass to the auditory nerve

^^soundwaves until they enter the cochlea^^

place theory of pitch: hairs in varying locations vibrate int he cochlea when they hear/interpret different pitches. Some hairs vibrate when they hear a high pitch noise, some hairs vibrate when they hear a low pitch noise.

frequency theory: rate/speed of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve, matches the frequency of the a tone, enabling us to sense its pitch

conduction deafness: inability to hear due to damage to outer or middle ear

sensorineural deafness: inability to hear due to deficit in body’s ability to transmit impulses from cochlea to the brain

tinnitus: ringing in one’s ears caused by infections or overly loud noise