Audition Flashcards
Through which mechanism do we perceive low-frequency
sounds (up to about 100 Hz)?
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.
How do we perceive middle-frequency sounds (100 to
4000 Hz)?
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.
How do we perceive high-frequency sounds (above
4000 Hz)?
At high frequencies, the sound causes maximum vibration for the hair cells at one location along the basilar
membrane.
What evidence suggests that absolute pitch depends on
special experiences?
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
How is the auditory cortex like the visual cortex?
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
What is one way in which the auditory and visual cortices
differ?
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
What kinds of sounds most strongly activate the auditory
cortex?
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
Which type of hearing loss would be more common
among members of rock bands and why?
Nerve deafness is common among rock band members because their frequent exposure to loud noises causes damage to the cells of the ear
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?
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
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?
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
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?
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
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?
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
Sound wave
are periodic compressions of air, water, or other media
they vary in their frequencies and amplitude
What are the properties of sound
Amplitude
Frequency
Timbre
Amplitude
refers to the intensity of the sound wave
Frequency
is the number of compressions per second and is measured in hertz (Hz) Related to the pitch (high to low)
Timbre
is tone quality or tone complexity
What factors determine the ability to recognize high
frequencies?
Age
Children hear higher frequencies than adults; the ability to recognize high frequencies diminishes with age and
exposure to loud noises
Structures of the Ear
Outer ear
inner ear
middle ear
Outer Ear
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
Theories of Pitch Perception
Place theory
Frequency theory