Podcast
Questions and Answers
What unit is used to measure frequency?
What unit is used to measure frequency?
- Amplitude
- Timbre
- Decibel (dB)
- Hertz (Hz) (correct)
A higher amplitude corresponds to a quieter sound.
A higher amplitude corresponds to a quieter sound.
False (B)
What are the three small bones found in the middle ear called?
What are the three small bones found in the middle ear called?
ossicles
The part of the ear responsible for processing sound is the __________.
The part of the ear responsible for processing sound is the __________.
Match the following parts of the ear with their corresponding functions:
Match the following parts of the ear with their corresponding functions:
What is the main function of the cochlea?
What is the main function of the cochlea?
The outer hair cells in the ear primarily receive inputs from the brain.
The outer hair cells in the ear primarily receive inputs from the brain.
What part of the ear is responsible for maintaining balance?
What part of the ear is responsible for maintaining balance?
The _____ is sensitive to high frequency sounds.
The _____ is sensitive to high frequency sounds.
Match the auditory structures with their functions:
Match the auditory structures with their functions:
Which of the following statements about tonotopy is correct?
Which of the following statements about tonotopy is correct?
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs before sound reaches the cochlea.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs before sound reaches the cochlea.
What is tinnitus?
What is tinnitus?
The primary auditory cortex is located in the _____ lobe.
The primary auditory cortex is located in the _____ lobe.
What does the medial geniculate nucleus primarily do?
What does the medial geniculate nucleus primarily do?
Flashcards
Sound
Sound
The perception of sound waves by the brain.
Frequency
Frequency
The number of cycles a sound wave completes per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Amplitude
Amplitude
The measurement of the changes in air pressure that create sound waves, determining how loud a sound is.
Timbre
Timbre
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Sensory Processing
Sensory Processing
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What are the ossicles?
What are the ossicles?
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What is the cochlea?
What is the cochlea?
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How does the basilar membrane work with sound frequency?
How does the basilar membrane work with sound frequency?
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What is the organ of Corti?
What is the organ of Corti?
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What is tonotopy?
What is tonotopy?
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What role does the thalamus play in hearing?
What role does the thalamus play in hearing?
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Where is the primary auditory cortex and what does it do?
Where is the primary auditory cortex and what does it do?
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What is Wernicke's aphasia?
What is Wernicke's aphasia?
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What is the vestibular system?
What is the vestibular system?
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What are the types of hearing loss?
What are the types of hearing loss?
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Study Notes
Sound Perception
- Sound is the brain's interpretation of sound waves.
- Sound occurs when vibrations cause pressure changes.
Physical Properties of Sound
- Frequency: The number of cycles of a sound wave per unit of time (Hertz, Hz).
- Higher frequency = higher pitch.
- Lower frequency = lower pitch.
- Amplitude: The measure of sound pressure changes, related to loudness.
- Higher amplitude = louder sound.
- Lower amplitude = softer sound.
- Threshold: Minimum amplitude needed for sound to be perceived.
- Threshold varies with frequency.
- Humans typically perceive sounds within a range of 500-5,000Hz.
- Decibel Scale: A logarithmic scale measuring sound intensity.
- Each 10-fold increase in amplitude corresponds to a 20 decibel increase.
- Timbre: The quality or character of a sound, distinguishing it from other sounds of the same pitch and loudness.
Sensory Processing of Sound
- Receptors and Transduction: Hair cells in the inner ear convert sound waves into electrical signals.
- Neural Pathways: Auditory nerve transmits signals to the brain.
- Relay Stations: Structures like the inferior colliculus, medial geniculate nucleus, and olivary complex process sound information.
- Primary Auditory Cortex: Processes basic sound features.
- Association Auditory Cortex: Interprets complex sounds and meaning.
Ear Structure and Function
- Outer Ear: Pinna funnels sound waves into the ear canal.
- Middle Ear:
- Tympanic membrane (eardrum): Vibrates in response to sound waves.
- Ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes): Amplify vibrations.
- Air-filled cavity.
- Inner Ear:
- Cochlea: Fluid-filled structure where sound vibrations are converted to electrical signals.
- Basilar membrane: Vibrates in response to sound frequency, with different parts responding to different frequencies.
- Base (high frequencies), Apex (low frequencies).
- Organ of Corti: Contains hair cells – sound receptors.
- Tonotopy: Organization of the auditory system where different frequencies are processed in different locations in the brain. Inner hair cells convert pressure to electrochemical signals. This triggers an electrical signal to the brain.
Sound Localization
- Medial superior olive: Relays information from both ears to localise sound sources.
- Inferior colliculus: Processes location information about sounds.
- Medial geniculate nucleus: Relays auditory information from the thalamus to the primary auditory cortex, maintaining frequency information.
Primary Auditory Cortex (A1)
- Located in the temporal lobe.
- Columns organized by frequency, with high frequencies processed caudally (toward the back).
Secondary Auditory Cortex (A2)
- Analyzes sound complexities.
- Supports auditory memory.
- Wernicke's area (part of A2): Associated with language comprehension; receives input from the primary auditory cortex.
- Wernicke's aphasia: Fluent speech without meaning.
Vestibular System
- Semicircular canals: Detect head movement and aid in balance.
- Utricle and saccule: Sense head position in space.
Hearing Disorders
- Hearing Loss: Sensorineural (cochlea damage), Mechanical (damage before cochlea), mixed.
- Tinnitus: Perception of sound (ringing, buzzing) with no external source.
- Otosclerosis: Abnormal bone growth affecting ossicles.
Auditory Illusions
- Pitch Circularity: How sound frequency is perceived as pitch.
- McGurk Effect: Visual cues influencing auditory perception.
Connection between Hearing and Schizophrenia
- Middle ear disease correlation.
- Difficulty separating inner thoughts from external stimuli.
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