Audition Flashcards

1
Q

Through which mechanism do we perceive low-frequency
sounds (up to about 100 Hz)?

A

At low frequencies, the basilar membrane vibrates in synchrony with the sound waves, and each responding axon in the auditory nerve sends one action potential per sound wave.

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2
Q

How do we perceive middle-frequency sounds (100 to
4000 Hz)?

A

At intermediate frequencies, no single axon fires an action potential for each soundwave, but different axons fire for different waves, andso a volley (group) of axons fires for each wave.

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3
Q

How do we perceive high-frequency sounds (above
4000 Hz)?

A

At high frequencies, the sound causes maximum vibration for the hair cells at one location along the basilar
membrane.

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4
Q

What evidence suggests that absolute pitch depends on
special experiences?

A

 Absolute pitch occurs almost entirely among people who had early musical training and is also more common among people who speak tonal languages, which require greater attention to pitch

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5
Q

How is the auditory cortex like the visual cortex?

A

Any of the following:
(a) Both vision and hearing
have “what” and “where” pathways.
(b) Areas in the
superior temporal cortex analyze the movement of both
visual and auditory stimuli. Damage there can cause
motion blindness or motion deafness.
(c) The visual
cortex is essential for visual imagery, and the primary
auditory cortex is essential for auditory imagery.
(d)
Both the visual and auditory cortices need normal
experience early in life to develop normal sensitivities

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6
Q

What is one way in which the auditory and visual cortices
differ?

A

Damage to the primary visual cortex leaves
someone blind, but damage to the primary auditory
cortex merely impairs the perception of complex sounds
without making the person deaf

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7
Q

What kinds of sounds most strongly activate the auditory
cortex?

A

 Each cell in the primary auditory cortex has a preferred frequency.Many or most cells respond best to complex sounds
that include harmonics. Outside the primary auditory
cortex, most cells respond to “auditory objects” that
mean something

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8
Q

Which type of hearing loss would be more common
among members of rock bands and why?

A

 Nerve deafness is common among rock band members because their frequent exposure to loud noises causes damage to the cells of the ear

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9
Q

Which method of sound localization is more effective for
an animal with a small head? Which is more effective for
an animal with a large head? Why?

A

 An animal with a small head localizes sounds
mainly by differences in loudness because the ears
are not far enough apart for differences in onset time
to be very large. An animal with a large head localizes
sounds mainly by differences in onset time because
its ears are far apart and well suited to noting differences in phase or onset time

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9
Q

Which method of sound localization is more effective for
an animal with a small head? Which is more effective for
an animal with a large head? Why?

A

 An animal with a small head localizes sounds
mainly by differences in loudness because the ears
are not far enough apart for differences in onset time
to be very large. An animal with a large head localizes
sounds mainly by differences in onset time because
its ears are far apart and well suited to noting differences in phase or onset time

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9
Q

Which method of sound localization is more effective for
an animal with a small head? Which is more effective for
an animal with a large head? Why?

A

 An animal with a small head localizes sounds
mainly by differences in loudness because the ears
are not far enough apart for differences in onset time
to be very large. An animal with a large head localizes
sounds mainly by differences in onset time because
its ears are far apart and well suited to noting differences in phase or onset time

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9
Q

Which method of sound localization is more effective for
an animal with a small head? Which is more effective for
an animal with a large head? Why?

A

 An animal with a small head localizes sounds
mainly by differences in loudness because the ears
are not far enough apart for differences in onset time
to be very large. An animal with a large head localizes
sounds mainly by differences in onset time because
its ears are far apart and well suited to noting differences in phase or onset time

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10
Q

Sound wave

A

are periodic compressions of air, water, or other media
they vary in their frequencies and amplitude

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11
Q

What are the properties of sound

A

Amplitude
Frequency
Timbre

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12
Q

Amplitude

A

refers to the intensity of the sound wave

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13
Q

Frequency

A

is the number of compressions per second and is measured in hertz (Hz) Related to the pitch (high to low)

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14
Q

Timbre

A

is tone quality or tone complexity

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15
Q

What factors determine the ability to recognize high
frequencies?

A

Age
Children hear higher frequencies than adults; the ability to recognize high frequencies diminishes with age and
exposure to loud noises

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16
Q

Structures of the Ear

A

Outer ear
inner ear
middle ear

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17
Q

Outer Ear

A

Responsible for:
– Altering the reflection of sound waves into the
middle ear from the outer ear
– Helping us to locate the source of a sound

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18
Q

Theories of Pitch Perception

A

Place theory
Frequency theory

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19
Q

Place theory

A

each area along the basilar
membrane has hair cells sensitive to only
one specific frequency of sound wave

20
Q

Frequency theory

A

the basilar membrane
vibrates in synchrony with the sound and
causes auditory nerve axons to produce
action potentials at the same frequency

21
Q

Inner Ear

A

Connects to three tiny bones (malleus, incus, & stapes) that transform waves into stronger waves to the oval window

The oval window is a membrane in the inner
ear: transmits waves through the viscous
the fluid of the inner ear

The inner ear contains a snail-shaped structure called the cochlea contains three fluid-filled tunnels (scala vestibuli, scala media, & the scala tympani)

21
Q

Inner Ear

A

Connects to three tiny bones (malleus, incus, & stapes) that transform waves into stronger waves to the oval window

The oval window is a membrane in the inner
ear: transmits waves through the viscous
the fluid of the inner ear

The inner ear contains a snail-shaped structure called the cochlea contains three fluid-filled tunnels (scala vestibuli, scala media, & the scala tympani)

22
Q

Inner Ear

A

Connects to three tiny bones (malleus, incus, & stapes) that transform waves into stronger waves to the oval window

The oval window is a membrane in the inner
ear: transmits waves through the viscous
the fluid of the inner ear

The inner ear contains a snail-shaped structure called the cochlea contains three fluid-filled tunnels (scala vestibuli, scala media, & the scala tympani)

23
Q

Hair cells in the Ear

A

Hair cells are auditory receptors that lie between the basilar membrane and the tectorial membrane in the cochlea

24
Q

current pitch theory

A

current pitch theory combines modified versions of both the place
theory and frequency theory:

– Low-frequency sounds best explained by
the frequency theory
– High-frequency sounds best explained by
place theory

25
Q

Variations in Sensitivity to Pitch: Amusia

A

the impaired detection of frequency changes (tone deafness)

Associated with a thicker than average auditory cortex in the right hemisphere, but fewer connections from the auditory cortex to the frontal cortex

26
Q

Variations in Sensitivity to Pitch: Amusia

A

the impaired detection of frequency changes (tone deafness)

27
Q

Variations in Sensitivity to Pitch: Absolute pitch perfect pitch

A

is the ability to hear a note and identify it
1. Genetic predisposition may contribute to it
2. The main determinant is early and extensive
musical training

28
Q

Auditory Cortex

A

The primary auditory cortex (area A1) is the destination for most information from the auditory system

Location: in the superior temporal cortex

Each hemisphere receives most of its information from the opposite ear

29
Q

Organization of the Auditory Cortex

A
  1. Superior temporal cortex allows detection of
    the motion of sound
  2. Area A1 is important for auditory imagery
30
Q

Functions of the Auditory Cortex

A
  1. Necessary for processing information but not hearing
  2. Provides a tonotopic map in which cells in the primary auditory cortex is more responsive to preferred tones
    3.
31
Q

what happens if the Primary auditory cortex is damaged

A

Damage to A1 does not necessarily cause deafness unless damage extends to the subcortical areas

32
Q

Auditory Areas

A
  1. Areas around the primary auditory cortex
33
Q

Hearing Loss types

A

Conductive or middle ear deafness

Nerve deafness or inner ear deafness

34
Q

Conductive/Middle Ear Deafness

A

Occurs if bones of the middle ear fail to transmit sound waves properly to the cochlea

35
Q

Conductive/Middle Ear Deafness causes

A

Can be caused by disease, infections, or
tumorous bone growth

36
Q

Normal cochlea function

A

Normal cochlea and auditory nerve allow
people to hear their own voice clearly

37
Q

How to treat Conductive/Middle Ear Deafness

A

Can be corrected by surgery or hearing aids that amplify the stimulus

38
Q

Nerve or Inner-Ear Deafness

A

Results from damage to the cochlea, the hair cells, or the auditory nerve
Can vary in degree Can be confined to one part of the cochlea People can hear only certain frequencies

39
Q

Nerve or Inner-Ear Deafness Causes

A

Can be inherited or caused by prenatal problems or early childhood disorders

40
Q

Auditory impairment: Tinnitus

A

Frequent or constant ringing in the ears is experienced by many people with nerve deafness.

Sometimes occurs after damage to the cochlea

41
Q

How do age, and attention affect hearing

A

Brain areas responsible for language comprehension become less active

older people have a decrease in the inhibitory neurotransmitters in the auditory portions of the brain

42
Q

what improves listining during speaking?

A

Attention improves if the listener watches
the speaker’s face

43
Q

factors that affect sound localization

A

Depends upon comparing the responses of the two ears
Three cues:
– Sound shadow
– Time of arrival
– Phase difference

44
Q

how humans localize sounds

A

Humans localize low frequency sound by phase difference and high frequency sound by loudness differences

45
Q

Mechanisms of Sound Localization

A

they are three
High-frequency sounds (2000 to 3000Hz)
create a “sound shadow”

  • Difference in time of arrival at the two ears
    most useful for localizing sounds with
    sudden onset
  • Phase difference between the ears
    provides cues to sound localization with
    frequencies up to 1500 Hz
46
Q

Mechanical Senses

A

The mechanical senses respond to pressure, bending, or other distortions of a receptor
Audition is a complex mechanical sense

47
Q

Vestibular Sensation

A

The vestibular sense: system that detects the position and movement of the head

The vestibular organ is in the ear and is
adjacent to the cochlea

48
Q

what is Vestibular Organ

A

Comprises two otolith organs (the saccule and utricle) and three semicircular canals

49
Q

Semicircular canals

A

are filled with a jellylike substance and hair cells that are
activated when the head moves

50
Q

People with damage to the vestibular system have trouble
reading street signs while walking. Why?

A

The vestibular system enables the brain to shift
eye movements to compensate for changes in head
position. Without feedback about head position, a person would not be able to correct the eye movements,
and the experience would be like watching a jiggling
book page.