Audition: Sound and the Ear
32 Questions
5 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

We can detect a difference between two sounds as little as 1/30 the interval ______

Physics

Human hearing is sensitive to sounds that vibrate the eardrum by less than one-tenth the diameter of an ______

atom

Amplitude is the relative strength of sound waves (transmitted vibrations), which we perceive as ______ or volume

loudness

A high-frequency sound wave corresponds to a high pitch sound, whereas a low-frequency sound wave corresponds to a low pitch ______

<p>sound</p> Signup and view all the answers

Amplitude is measured in ______ (dB), which refer to the sound pressure level or intensity

<p>decibels</p> Signup and view all the answers

The frequency of a sound is the number of compressions per second, measured in ______ (Hz, cycles per second)

<p>hertz</p> Signup and view all the answers

Timbre is a quality of sound that makes voices or musical instruments sound different from each other based on their __________.

<p>quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

The external ear is formed by the pinna and the external auditory canal, which receives sounds and transmits them to the middle ear via the __________.

<p>eardrum</p> Signup and view all the answers

The middle ear includes the ossicles, three minuscule bones called the __________, incus, and stapes.

<p>malleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

The bone forms a bridge between the eardrum and the inner ear through the oval window that covers the __________.

<p>cochlea</p> Signup and view all the answers

A narrow tube of approximately 3.5 cm in length, called the Eustachian tube, connects the ear to the outer part of the nose and acts as an equalizing valve to balance the pressure on either side of the __________.

<p>eardrum</p> Signup and view all the answers

The inner ear includes the cochlea, a structure that has a spiral shape similar to a snail shell, and is located in the bony labyrinth, which has several membranous sections filled with fluids called __________.

<p>endolymph</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Organ of Corti transforms the mechanical energy of the sound waves into nerve energy by creating electric impulses that are sent to the brain through the __________ nerve.

<p>auditory</p> Signup and view all the answers

Your ability to understand speech or enjoy music depends on your ability to differentiate among sounds of different __________.

<p>frequencies</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the place theory, each frequency activates the hair cells at only one place along the basilar membrane, and the nervous system distinguishes among frequencies based on which __________ respond.

<p>neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the frequency theory, a sound at 50 Hz would cause __________ action potentials per second in the auditory nerve.

<p>50</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum amplitude that human hearing is sensitive to?

<p>Less than one-tenth the diameter of an atom</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what unit is amplitude measured?

<p>Decibels (dB)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is pitch related to the frequency of a sound wave?

<p>A high-frequency sound wave corresponds to a high pitch sound, whereas a low-frequency sound wave corresponds to a low pitch sound.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure in the middle ear that includes the ossicles?

<p>Malleus, incus, and stapes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for the frequency of a sound?

<p>Hertz (Hz)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Eustachian tube in the ear?

<p>Acts as an equalizing valve to balance the pressure on either side of the eardrum</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Eustachian tube in the ear?

<p>equalizing valve</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the smallest bone in the human body located in the middle ear?

<p>stapes</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the basilar membrane compared to the strings of a piano according to the place theory?

<p>tuned to a specific frequency</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Organ of Corti in the ear?

<p>creating electric impulses</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the current overarching theory that combines both the place theory and the frequency theory?

<p>modification of both theories</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cochlea in the inner ear?

<p>transforming sound waves into nerve energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pinna in the external ear?

<p>receives sounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ossicles in the middle ear?

<p>form a bridge between the eardrum and the inner ear</p> Signup and view all the answers

What connects the ear to the outer part of the nose and acts as an equalizing valve?

<p>Eustachian tube</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the basilar membrane according to the place theory?

<p>tuned to a specific frequency</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Hearing Sensitivity

  • We can detect a difference between two sounds as little as 1/30 the interval of a semitone.
  • Human hearing is sensitive to sounds that vibrate the eardrum by less than one-tenth the diameter of a human hair.

Sound Characteristics

  • Amplitude is the relative strength of sound waves, which we perceive as loudness or volume.
  • Amplitude is measured in decibels (dB), which refer to the sound pressure level or intensity.
  • The frequency of a sound is the number of compressions per second, measured in Hertz (Hz, cycles per second).
  • A high-frequency sound wave corresponds to a high pitch sound, whereas a low-frequency sound wave corresponds to a low pitch sound.

Anatomy of the Ear

  • The external ear is formed by the pinna and the external auditory canal, which receives sounds and transmits them to the middle ear via the eardrum.
  • The middle ear includes the ossicles, three minuscule bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes.
  • The stapes bone forms a bridge between the eardrum and the inner ear through the oval window that covers the cochlea.
  • The Eustachian tube connects the ear to the outer part of the nose and acts as an equalizing valve to balance the pressure on either side of the eardrum.

Inner Ear and Sound Processing

  • The inner ear includes the cochlea, a structure that has a spiral shape similar to a snail shell, and is located in the bony labyrinth, which has several membranous sections filled with fluids called endolymph.
  • The Organ of Corti transforms the mechanical energy of the sound waves into nerve energy by creating electric impulses that are sent to the brain through the auditory nerve.
  • Your ability to understand speech or enjoy music depends on your ability to differentiate among sounds of different frequencies.

Theories of Sound Processing

  • According to the place theory, each frequency activates the hair cells at only one place along the basilar membrane, and the nervous system distinguishes among frequencies based on which hair cells respond.
  • According to the frequency theory, a sound at 50 Hz would cause 50 action potentials per second in the auditory nerve.
  • The current overarching theory combines both the place theory and the frequency theory.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Explore the physics and psychology of sound as it relates to human hearing sensitivity, sound waves, amplitude, and frequency. Learn about the intricate process of detecting and differentiating between various sound waves.

More Like This

Lesson 5: Audition
4 questions

Lesson 5: Audition

QuieterMilkyWay avatar
QuieterMilkyWay
Psychophysics and Sound Quiz
2 questions
Audition and Ear Structures Quiz
22 questions

Audition and Ear Structures Quiz

AffectionateFuchsia9612 avatar
AffectionateFuchsia9612
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser