Converting Sound Energy to Sensation 3.4.2

Question 1

What is cochlear implant?

Answer 1

A device that converts sounds into electrical and stimulates the auditory nerve using electrodes placed in the cochlea

Question 2

What is conduction of hearing loss?

Answer 2

When the ability to transmit sound from the outer ear to the inner ear decreased or is completely lost

-can be caused by damage to the mechanical system
-medical interventions can help

Conduction hearing loss occurs when the ability to transmit sound from the outer ear to the inner ear has decreased or is completely gone. Conduction hearing loss can be caused by a hole in the tympanic membrane, damage to the mechanical system, infection, cysts, or blockages. Luckily, conduction hearing loss can be treated with medical interventions.

Question 3

What is frequency theory?

Answer 3

How frequently the nerve impulses carry the sound through the hearing pathway tot he brain.

-pitch perception is determined by
-known as temporal theory
-low pitches, harder to detach

Question 4

What is place theory?

Answer 4

Pitch is perceived in a particular place (location) in the basilar membrane, when the hair cells are activated

-high pitches (easy to detect)

Question 5

What is sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 5

The result of disfunction of the hair cells in the cochlea

-known as nerve deafness
-reversible(can be treated with cochlea implant

Question 6

What is sound localization?

Answer 6

Detecting the source of sound

-the placement of ears are very important and helpful

-elapsed time(locating source based on sound waves, one ear usually hears it before the other)
-intensity
-distance (sound growing louder = coming closer)
-equal distance detection (its hard to detect location with ears receiving the message at the same time)
(front, behind, below, above)
A slight difference in intensity in one ear helps pinpoint location

-soundwaves go outward (closer to the source = more intensity)
-in front or behind = same time, equal intensity

Question 7

What is volley theory?

Answer 7

Since neurons cannot fire more than 1000 times in a minute, other neurons alternate firing.

-therefore those neurons create a combined frequency
-combining volley and frequency theory