Chapter 10: The Auditory System Flashcards
(119 cards)
1
Q
How is hearing different from vision?
A
Our vision only comes from what is in front of us, while sound comes to us from all 360 degrees
2
Q
__________ is transforming information in the environment (sound pressure waves) into a perception that can be used to understand the world and guide action
A
Hearing
3
Q
There must be a _________ , such as air or water, to
conduct sound. In the absence of this, as
in the near vacuum of space, sound cannot exist.
A
medium
4
Q
The ________________ is the periodic variations in air pressure traveling out from the source of the variations
A
sound stimulus
– These periodic variations in pressure are the
sound wave.
– The source of the variations is the object making
the sound
5
Q
Air pressure will increase and decrease slightly, and these small changes in air pressure constitute sound if they occur strongly and quickly enough. T/F
A
True
6
Q
When you clap your hands, you disturb the air around your hands and initiate a pattern of high- and low-pressure air movements that move out in all directions from the source in a pattern called a _____________ (two words)
A
sound wave
7
Q
_______________ (two words) are the waves of pressure changes that occur in the air as a function of the vibration of a source
A
Sound waves
8
Q
Air molecules do not travel very far themselves, but the wave of pressure change moves across space, causing ___________ (high pressure) and _____________ (low pressure) across space
A
compression; rarefaction
9
Q
Sound can be measured by measuring ___________ and its ___________.
A
wavelength; frequency
10
Q
Frequency can be measured in ______, the amount of time between one peak of high pressure and the next
A
cycles
11
Q
Under normal conditions, sound travels fast (about 761.2 mph), but slower than light – Because of this, we may sometimes notice a lag between sound and sight. T/F
A
true
12
Q
Sound has similar attributes to light, namely ________ and __________.
A
amplitude; frequency
13
Q
The ____________ is how different frequencies interact with each other to create complex sounds.
A
Waveform
14
Q
______________ (two words) are sound waves in which air pressure changes follow the basic sine wave format.
A
Pure tones
15
Q
_____________ is the difference between the maximum sound and minimum sound pressures. Thus, taller waves are stronger waves.
A
Amplitude
16
Q
___________ is the perceptual experience
of amplitude. High-amplitude sounds will be heard as loud and low-amplitude sounds will be heard as soft.
A
Loudness
17
Q
Amplitude is usually measured in _____________.
A
decibels (dB)
we can hear over a wide range of amplitudes
we discriminate between differences in loudness very well, at differences as low as 1dB.
18
Q
pitch is
A
high note or low note
19
Q
___________ is the number of cycles in a sound stimulus
that occur in 1 second
A
Frequency
20
Q
As frequency gets larger, wavelength gets __________
A
shorter
21
Q
By convention, wavelength is used when discussing
_______ and frequency is used when discussing _________
A
vision; sounds
22
Q
Frequency is measured in _________, a unit of
measurement indicating the number of cycles per
second
A
hertz (Hz)
23
Q
______ is the subjective experience of sound that is closely
associated with frequencies
A
Pitch
24
Q
Lower frequencies are heard as lower in pitch; higher
frequencies are heard as higher in pitch
Frequency and Pitch/ T/F
A
True
25
Children and young adults can hear over
the range of _______________.
20 to 20,000 Hz
26
As individuals age, hearing in the highest range ____________.
dissipates
By the time one is 50 years old, the upper limit may be down to 12,000 Hz
–The loss may be made worse by exposure to loud sounds when young
–The lowest frequencies tend to remain stable with age
27
Below 20 Hz and above 20,000 Hz,
humans are simply deaf regardless of
amplitude. T/F
True
Other animals can hear beyond this range, such as dolphins who can hear frequencies up to about 200,000 Hz and elephants who can hear frequencies down to 1 Hz
Losing high frequencies has few consequences for understanding speech, but does interfere with the perception of timbre
28
Nearly all sounds are _______________, which consist of mixes of frequencies
complex sounds
29
A complex waveform can be broken down into its composite frequencies through _________________, a mathematical procedure for determining the simpler waveforms that make up a given complex waveform.
Fourier analysis
30
______________ is the musical term that refers to the perceived sound difference between sounds with the same pitch but possessing different harmonics
Timbre (tam-ber)
31
pure tone
a sound wave in
which changes in air pressure
follow a sine wave pattern
32
Sound stimulus:
the periodic
variations in air pressure
traveling out from the source
of the variations
33
Sound waves:
the waves of pressure changes that occur in the air as a function of the vibration of a source
34
Cycle:
in a sound wave, the
amount of time between one peak
of high pressure and the next
35
Amplitude:
the difference between maximum and minimum sound pressures
36
Loudness:
the perceptual experience of the amplitude or intensity of a sound stimulus
37
Frequency (sound
stimulus):
the number of cycles that occur in a second
38
Pitch:
the subjective experience of sound that is most closely associated with the frequency of a sound stimulus; related to the experience of whether the sound is high or low, such as the two ends of the keyboard of a piano
39
Hertz (Hz):
a unit of measure indicating the number of cycles per second
40
Harmonics:
higher frequencies present in a complex sound that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency (main
frequency)
41
Complex sound:
a sound consisting of a mix of frequencies
42
Fourier analysis:
a mathematical procedure for taking any complex waveform and determining the simpler waveforms that make up that complex pattern; the simpler waves used are sine waves
43
Fundamental frequency:
the lowest frequency in a complex sound, which determines the perceived pitch of that sound
44
Timbre:
the perceived sound differences between sounds with the same pitch but possessing different higher harmonics
45
Phase:
the position in one cycle of a wave; there are 360 degrees in a single cycle of a wave
46
Prolonged exposure above ___ decibels, can cause noise induced hearing loss.
85
47
Pinna:
the structure that collects sound and funnels it into the auditory canal
48
External auditory canal (external auditory meatus):
the channel that conducts sound from the pinna to the tympanic membrane the channel that conducts sound from the pinna to the tympanic membrane
49
Tympanic membrane:
a thin elastic sheet that vibrates in response to sounds coming through the external auditory canal; commonly known as the eardrum
50
Ossicles:
three small bones in the middle ear
Small bones that move in response to sound hitting then tympanic membrane
* Use lever action to increase pressure change
* Transfer energy from larger surface area (tympanic membrane) to small surface area (oval window)
* Move sound from air vibrations to liquid vibration (liquid in the
inner ear)
51
Malleus:
the first ossicle in the middle ear; receives vibrations from the tympanic membrane and transmits them to the incus
52
Incus:
an ossicle in the middle ear; receives vibrations from the malleus and transmits them to the stapes
53
Stapes:
an ossicle in the middle ear; receives vibrations from the incus and transmits them to the oval window of the inner ear
Pushes against oval window of the cochlea and sound moves into the inner ear
54
Stapes:
an ossicle in the middle ear; receives vibrations from the incus and transmits them to the oval window of the inner ear
55
Tensor tympani:
the muscle that is attached to the malleus
56
Stapedius:
the muscle that is attached to the stapes
57
Acoustic reflex:
a reflex that tightens the tensor tympani and the stapedius in response to chronic loud noise
58
Acoustic reflex:
a reflex that tightens the tensor tympani and the stapedius in response to chronic loud noise
59
Tympanic canal:
one of the three chambers in the cochlea; separated from the middle canal by the basilar membrane
60
Middle canal (cochlear duct):
one of the three chambers in the cochlea; separated from the tympanic canal by the basilar membrane; contains the organ of Corti
61
Vestibular canal:
one of the three chambers in the cochlea; separated from the middle canal by Reissner’s membrane
62
Round window:
a soft tissue substance at the base of the tympanic canal whose function is as an “escape” valve for excess pressure from loud sounds that arrive in the cochlea
63
Reissner’s membrane:
the membrane that separates the vestibular and middle canals
64
Basilar membrane:
the membrane that separates the tympanic canal from the middle
canal; the organ of Corti lies on the basilar membrane
the base of the system, pushing up the hair cells, when moved it will move differently depending on its thickness.
The basilar membrane is a hard and thick material that separates the tympanic canal and the middle canal. It also vibrates as it responds to the incoming sound. The basilar membrane is much thicker and stiffer at the base and then at the apex it becomes less thick and less stiff. The thicker and stiffer it is, the more responsive it is to high-frequency sounds. When it is less thicker and less stiff it is more responsive to low-frequency sounds.
thickness varies depending
on location
* Thicker and more
responsive to higher
frequencies at base
* Thinner and more
responsive to lower
frequencies at apex
65
When referring to the basilar membrane _________ frequency sounds cause more movement farther down the basilar membrane. _________ frequency sounds cause movement only in the apex of the membrane.
lower; higher
Helps code for frequency
– Each location along the basilar membrane responds to a characteristic frequency
66
Organ of Corti:
a structure on the basilar membrane that houses the hair cells that transduce sound into a neural signal
67
Perilymph:
the fluid that fills the tympanic canal and the vestibular canal
68
Hair cells:
cells that have filaments called stereocilia for transducing the movement of the basilar membrane into a neural signal
the stereocilia bend in response to movement of the basilar membrane
69
Characteristic frequency:
the frequency to which any particular location along the basilar membrane responds best
70
Stereocilia:
the hairlike parts of the hair cells on the top of the inner and outer hair cells
When a vibration of the basilar membrane causes the membrane to move upward, the stereocilia brush against a tectorial membrane.
* Changes the cell’s voltage potential
71
Outer hair cells:
cells that sharpen and amplify the responses of the inner hair cells
72
Inner hair cells:
cells that are responsible for transducing the neural signal
73
Tectorial membrane:
a membrane that rests above the hair cells within the organ of Corti
provides what the hair can press up or rub against. It does not protect the hair cells because if its loud it can rub against too much on tectorial membrane which can cause damage.
74
Place code theory:
is von Bekesy's view that different locations along the basilar membrane respond to different frequencies
basal membrane is thicker and more tightly wound at the base- vibrates for high frequencies
– Basal membrane is thinner and looser at apex- vibrates for lower frequencies.
– Allows the auditory system to discriminate among frequencies
It is von Bekesy's view of frequency representation in the cochlea. This view has been supported by the observation of the basilar membrane's thickness changes throughout the cochlea. The basilar membrane responds to different frequencies depending on the location as thickness differs.
75
Temporal code theory:
the view that frequency representation occurs because of a match between sound frequency and the firing rates of the auditory nerve
alternative view to place code theory
- More evidence for place code theory; esp w/ age-related hearing loss
OUTDATED
76
Otosclerosis:
an inherited bone disease in which the
ossicles, particularly the stapes, may calcify and therefore
be less conductive of sound
ossicle calcify, getting hardened
77
Tinnitus:
a condition in which people perceive sounds even when none are present
individuals experience a constant ringing sound in their ear even without an environmental stimulus.
* Neural signal sent in the absence of a sound
* Associated with noise-induced hearing loss
* Can be a symptom of a number of disorders
78
Hearing aids:
electronic devices that amplify sound so that
people with hearing deficits can hear sounds that otherwise
would be below their thresholds
Convert sound signal into computer code
– Reconverted to analog sound for
wearer
– Can filter out extraneous noises
– Can tune into one specific frequency
79
Cochlear implants:
devices that are designed to restore
some hearing, typically of spoken voices, to deaf individuals;
they stimulate the auditory nerve artificially with an
electronic system, replacing the hair cells of the cochlea
– Mainly for language-related sounds
– Receiver converts sounds into electrical signal
– Travels by wire into the cochlea
– In the cochlea are electrodes
– When the electrodes are stimulated, it will induce a neural signal in auditory nerve fibers
80
What are parts of the outer ear anatomy?
Pinna (pi-nuh)
external auditory canal (meatus)
tympanic membrane
81
what are the parts of the middle ear anatamy?
ossicles
malleus
incus
stapes
82
Tectorial membrane is like the roof and the basilar membrane is the base. T/F
t
83
BM gets ______ flexible as we age
less
The area that is least flexible, the higher frequency range, gets even LESS flexible
* We lose the ability to hear these high frequencies as a result
* By the time we’re 50, we can’t hear above 12k Hz
84
presbycusis (Pres-by-cu-sis)
Loss of hearing associated with aging
– Basilar membrane gets stiffer as we age
* Harder for it to move based on sound
* Higher frequencies most affected
85
When hairs brush up against the tectorial membrane, this movement creates __________________, which then goes down the auditory nerve.
action potential
86
Conductive Hearing Loss
* Damage to some aspect of the sound transmission in outer or middle ear
* Sound doesn’t get to cochlea
– Blocked canal
– Damage to ossicles
– Torn tympanic membrane
87
Otosclerosis
– Inherited disease
– Ossicles calcify
* Cannot move in response to sound
88
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
* Hearing loss that occurs because of damage to the cochlea, auditory nerve, or primary auditory cortex
– Acquired or genetic
– Minor to profound
89
Inner hair cells in the cochlea form
___________ with the auditory nerve
fibers
synapses
90
The auditory nerve fibers bundle together to form _______________.
the 8th cranial nerve
91
Each auditory nerve fiber has a characteristic frequency that comes from a different part of the __________________. (two words)
basilar membrane
92
A whistle is so loud and shrill that it makes Sandra’s ear ache. The whistle has ____ amplitude and ________ frequency.
high amplitude, high frequency
93
A person who constantly hears a bell ringing probably suffers from tinnitus. T/F
True
94
The muscle that is attached to the malleus is called the ______.
tensor tympani
95
Amplitude is the difference between maximum and minimum sound pressures. T/F
True
96
Outer hair cells are responsible for transducing the neural signal, whereas inner hair cells refine and amplify the neural responses of the outer hair cells.
False, its the other way around
97
The external auditory canal conducts sound from the pinna to the basilar membrane.
False, its the tympanic membrane not basilar membrane
98
Which of the following instruments has the highest fundamental frequency?
piccolo
99
The part of the ear that sticks out of the side of a person’s head is called the ______.
pinna
100
The view that different locations along the basilar membrane respond to different frequencies is called the temporal code theory.
True
False
false
101
While analyzing the sound of a high C on the piano, Edgar realizes this complex sound has many frequencies by using the ______.
Fourier analysis
102
Cochlear implants are often placed in infants who are born congenitally deaf. T/F
true
103
Which of the following is separated from the cochlear duct by Reissner’s membrane?
the vestibular canal
104
The malleus vibrates and transmits sound to the stapes.
True
False
False
105
Which of the following consists of the fibers that separate the tympanic canal from the middle canal?
the basilar membrane
106
A soft tissue substance at the base of the tympanic canal whose function is as an “escape” valve for excess pressure from loud sounds that arrive in the cochlea is the ______.
round window
107
If Nancy blows a whistle that emits a sound with a frequency of 30,000 Hz at moderate loudness, which of the following would most likely happen?
Nancy's dog would hear the sound.
108
Because of drugs she took for cancer treatment, Natasha suffers from hearing loss, which is most likely ______.
sensorineural hearing loss
109
Sanzhar is experiencing hearing loss because his stapes has calcified. He has a disease called ______.
osteosclerosis
110
A person can adjust hearing aids to amplify nearby sounds and block out other sounds.
True
False
true
111
Javier is pleased with the guitar he just bought because it has a rich sound. The quality that provides this sound is called ______.
timbre
112
Decibel is the physical unit that measures sound frequency.
True
False
false
113
What are the physical dimensions of amplitude and frequency? What perceptual dimensions do they map onto?
Amplitude maps onto the perception of loudness, frequency maps onto the perception of pitch and waveform maps onto the perception of timbre.
114
Why are loud sounds potentially dangerous to your ears?
It is because the way our ear convert the auditory stimuli into action potential to create neural signals. This is done by the hair cells inside the cochlea, and is if a sound is too loud it would rub strongly against the tectoral membrane which can damage the hair cells.
Prolonged contact to sounds over 85 dB can eventually cause hearing loss
Sounds louder than 120 dB are painful.
Sounds louder than 130 dB will generally result in immediate and permanent hearing loss
115
Describe the basic anatomy of the ear.
There are three major parts of the ear that includes of the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.
The pinna and the ear canal are what compose the outer ear, which collect and funnel the sound waves towards the eardrum.
The middle ear is composed of the tympanic membrane, the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes or stirrup) and the eustachian tube.
The inner ear is composed of the cochlea and the semicircular canals.
116
Eustachian Tubes
* Thin tube that connects the middle ear with the pharynx and serves to equalize air pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane
* Brief opening = “popping” of ears
117
Describe the middle ear anatomy.
The mdidle ear is an air filled cavity located between the eardrum and the inner ear. It contains the tympanic membrane, the ossicles (three small bones: malleus, incus, and stapes). The stapes transmits vibrations to the oval window of the cochlea, and lastly the eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the pharynx to equalize air pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane.
118
How does the displacement of the basilar membrane in response to specific frequencies support the place code theory?
The basilar membrane is the key structure in the cochlea that varies in stiffness and thickness along its length. High frequency sounds cause maximum displacement near the base of the cochlea. Low frequency sounds cause maximum displacement near the apex of the cochlea.
119
What is the cochlea?
snail shaped structure.
– Tube that is coiled
– Three liquid filled chambers
* Tympanic canal
* Middle canal
* Vestibular canal
– Round window
* At base
* Soft tissue that can expand out with pressure
* Escape valve
