hearing and the structure of the ear 100%

Purity is to timbre as __________ is to __________. frequency . . . pitch frequency . . . loudness amplitude . . . pitch amplitude . . . hertz

frequency . . . pitch

Scientific research shows that birds are capable of regenerating their hair cells. t/f?

true

Sound waves are detected by the pinna, or the outer part of the ear. t/f?

true

Sounds in the external ear depends on vibration of movable bones. t/f?

true

The majority of sounds people hear are a mixture of frequencies and amplitudes. t/f?

true

Explain how sound waves are processed in the ear and then relayed to and processed in the brain.

Sound waves are detected by the pinna and channeled down the external auditory canal to the eardrum. A chain of bones called the ossicles (made of the malleus, the incus, and the stapes) amplify the vibrations from the eardrum and transmit them to the cochlea, which is a spiral, fluid-filled tube that contains auditory receptors called hair cells. The hair cells transduce the sound vibrations, and the auditory nerve carries these neural signals to the thalamus for initial processing. Then the neural signals are relayed to the auditory cortex, which is located in the temporal lobe. In the auditory cortex, adjacent neurons, or neurons that are closer together, tend to respond to certain frequencies. Other neurons combine the information from these specialist cells to help one recognize and distinguish sounds.

A common problem in children that can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss depending on its severity is __________, or ear infection. A. otitis media B. sensorineural hearing loss C. Ménière's disease D. conductive hearing loss

a

The __________ is hammer-shaped bone of the middle ear that is attached to the inner surface of the eardrum. A. malleus B. incus C. tympanum D. stapes

a

Which of the following correctly lists the structures through which sound travels after entering the ear? A. auditory canal, eardrum, ossicles, cochlea B. ossicles, eardrum, cochlea, auditory canal C. eardrum, auditory canal, ossicles, cochlea D. cochlea, eardrum, ossicles, auditory canal

a

Damage to the auditory nerve or to the hair cells in the inner ear results in __________. A. Ménière's disease B. sensorineural hearing loss C. conductive hearing loss D. otitis media

b

Damage to the outer ear or middle ear, which transmits sound waves to the inner ear, may result in __________. A. Ménière's disease B. conductive hearing loss C. otitis media D. sensorineural hearing loss

b

The __________ sends sound vibrations to the inner ear. A. malleus B. stapes C. incus D. tympanum

b

All of the following are ways to protect one's hearing except __________. A. getting one's ears checked B. gently cleaning one's ears C. listening to loud music D. wearing ear pads or muffs

c

The part of the ear that holds the auditory receptors is called the __________. middle ear cochlea eardrum pinna

cochlea

The cochlea is responsible for __________. A. protecting the outer portion of the ear B. transmitting vibrations to the eardrum and stapes C. relaying neural signals to the auditory cortex D. converting vibrations into neural signals

d

The minimum detectable sound for normal hearing is arbitrarily set at _____ decibels. A. 5 B. 10 C. 25 D. 0

d

Binaural fusion is the process in which the brain processes information from each ear and creates two different perceptions of the location of sound. t/f?

false

Sound processing occurs exclusively in the temporal lobe where the primary auditory cortex is located. t/f?

false

Explain the difference between conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when something interferes with the transmission of sound from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs from damage to the auditory nerve or to the hair cells in the inner ear.

Explain the difference between place theory and frequency theory in regard to perception of pitch.

Place theory states that the perception of pitch depends on what area of the basilar membrane is vibrating. In other words, the frequency of tone that is detected by the brain depends on which area of the basilar membrane is most actively vibrating upon encountering sound. Frequency theory claims that the perception of pitch depends on the rate at which the entire basilar membrane vibrates. The whole basilar membrane vibrates in response to sound. A higher pitch is heard when the basilar membrane vibrates at a higher frequency.