Hearing 2

Question 1

The Auditory Cortex

Lesions

Answer 1

Higher-level auditory processing
Auditory cortex lesions impair recognizing complex sounds:
Macaques with AC lesion can discriminate between a vocalization and noise, but not between two different vocalizations
Neurons in AC respond to both simple and complex sounds

Question 2

Auditory Cortex Neurons

Answer 2

Respond to both simple and complex sounds
Receptive fields can be described in a “Frequency Response Area” (FRA):
The sound frequency that makes a neuron respond strongest is called its “Best Frequency” or “Characteristic Frequency”

Question 3

Auditory Cortex organized tonotopically

Answer 3

Neurons respond to high frequencies are located on one end of the auditory cortex, and neurons responding to low frequencies on the other end
Like the cochlea

Question 4

The Auditory cortex exhibits experience-dependent plasticity

Answer 4

Exposing rat pups to a sound can increase the representation of that sound in the auditory cortex
Single cells in the auditory cortex can rapidly shift their “best frequency” following experience
Spiking response of a neuron in the auditory cortex before and after pairing a tone with a footshock

Question 5

Balance:
Vestibular System
Semicircular Canals
Otolith Organs
How do both systems detect movement

Answer 5

VS: Provides information about head orientation and movement
SC: Detects head rotation and angular acceleration
OO: Detect linear acceleration
BS: By displacement of hair cells, similar to the auditory system

Question 6

How to Otolith organs detect acceleration

Answer 6

By changes in position of the otoliths

Question 7

Diseases Related to balance

Answer 7

Menier’s Disease: Disorder of the inner ear that leads to dizziness (vertigo) and hearing loss
Result of abnormal amount of fluid in inner ear
Aging is associated with impaired balance and falls, may be enhanced by inner ear malfunction