Audition Flashcards
(39 cards)
What are some important functions for hearing
- Communication
- Detect danger
- Help
What is sound
Variations in air pressure
What is the difference between the speed of sound through air vs. through water
air 767mph (340m/s)
water 1500m/s
What is a sounds wave
Alternating peeks and valleys of compressed air
What are the variables in sound?
Frequency (pitch)
Intensity (loudness)
What is the definition of frequency
The number of comprised air patches (Hertz)
-number of cycles/second
What is the definition of Intensity
The difference in pressure between compressed air patches
-amplitude
What is the human frequency range
20-20,000
In which frequency range are we most sensitive to
2,000-4,000
which is speech range
What is the difference between Hertz and Decibel
Hertz measured the pitch
Decible measures the loudness
What is the minimum audibility curve
The minimum frequencies that are at a level for us to hear
What are the 3 major divisions of the ear
- Outer Ear
- Auricle (Pinna)
- Auditory canal - Middle Ear
- Tympanic membrane
- Ossicles - Inner Ear
- Oval window
- Cochlea
What is the function of the auditory canal
To protect the ear drum
Enhances the intensities of sound by resonance
What is the definition of resonance
A mechanism that enhances the intensity of certain frequencies because of the reflection of sound waves in a closed tube
-amplifies frequency depending on length and width of tube
What are the 3 Ossicles
- Malleus (hammer)
- Incus (anvil)
- Stapes (stirrup)
What is the Eustachian (auditory) tube
An airway between the middle ear and the pharynx
-allows you to change the pressure in your ear
What are the 3 reasons why the Ossicles necessary
- Sound vibration is ineffective at moving fluid
- Ossicles amplify the force exerted against the oval window
- Ossicles convert air pressure changes to mechanical changes (causing fluid changes win the cochlea)
What are the two windows of the cochlea
The oval window (in contact with stapes)
Round window
What are the 3 ducts of the cochlea
- Vestibular duct (separated by resigners membrane)
- Cochlear duct (separated by basilar membrane)
- Tympanic duct
What are the 2 different fluids in the 3 chambers
- Perilymph (Vestibular and tympanic duct, flows into each other)
- Endolymph (Cochlear duct)
Why is the basilar membrane important?
Contains the Organ of Croti
What hangs over the organ of corti
The tectoral membrane
What is the Helicotrema
A hole between the scala vestibule and scala tympani
at the very end of the unrolled cochlea
How does sound move through the cochlea
Oval window> Scala Vestibuli> Helicotrema> Scala Tympani> Round Window