3. Auditory Integration Flashcards
What are sounds?
Vibrations of air molecules
Define the parameters of human perception of sound.
20 - 20,000 Hz
Name the perceptual dimension of AMPLITUDE.
Loudness
How is amplitude measured?
Decibels
Name the perceptual dimension of FREQUENCY.
Pitch (Hz)
Name the perceptual dimension of COMPLEXITY.
Timbre
Hertz =
cycles per second
The ear can be categorised into three parts. Name these three parts.
Outer ear
Middle ear
Inner ear
Name components of the OUTER EAR
- helix, antihelix
- scapha
- triangular fossa
- concha
- auricular lobule (earlobe)
- ear canal
Name components of the MIDDLE EAR
- tympanic membrane (eardrum)
- tympanic cavity
- maiieus
- incus
- stapes
Name components of the INNER EAR
- eustachian tube
- cochlea
- cochlear nerve
- vestibular nerve
What is another name for “ear canal”
external acoustic meatus
Describe the organ of the CORTI
• Found within the cochlear conduct
where transduction from mechanical waves to neural signals takes place
• It contains hair cells (inner and outer)
Each hair cell in the CORTI has ________
approx. 100 stereocilia
What elements can be seen when looking at a cross-section of the cochlea.
- scala vestibuli
- scala media
- scale tympani
- spiral ganglion
- basilar membrane
- tectorial membrane
Describe what happens to the membrane potential of a hair cell during a sound-induced vibration.
- excitatory force opens ion channels
- Depolarisation
- Release of NT
- Inhibitory force closes ion channels
What are auditory pathways?
- Highly complicated pathways
* Each hemisphere of the brain processes auditory information from both sides (ipsilateral and contralateral)
Auditory cortices are organized ___________.
tonotopically
by frequency