Quiz 2

Question 1

Outer Ear

Answer 1

The portion of the ear that picks up and directs sound waves through the auditory canal to the middle ear.

Question 2

Middle Ear

Answer 2

The part of the ear that transfers sound

waves from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Question 3

Inner Ear

Answer 3

The part of the ear that contains the auditory nerve, which transmits sound waves to the brain.

Question 4

Conductive Hearing Loss

Answer 4

A condition that occurs when there is damage to the eardrum or middle ear from disease; infection; excessive ear wax; for- eign objects that block the eardrum; trauma to the head or neck; systemic disorders such as high or low blood pressure, vascular disorders, and thyroid dysfunction; and high doses of certain medica- tions such as sedatives, antidepressants, and anti- inflammatory drugs.

Question 5

Tinnitus

Answer 5

After prolonged exposure to loud sounds, the ringing, whistling, or buzzing in the ears, even though no loud sounds are present.

Question 6

Sound-Pressure Level (dB-SPL)

Answer 6

A measure of the pressure of a sound wave, or sound-pressure level (SPL), expressed in decibels (dB).

Question 7

Threshold of hearing

Answer 7

The lowest sound-pressure level at which sound becomes audible to the human ear. It is the zero reference of 0 dB-SPL.

Question 8

Threshold of Feeling

Answer 8

120 dB-SPL

Question 9

Threshold of Pain

Answer 9

The sound-pressure level at which the ear begins to feel pain, about 140 dB- SPL, although levels of around 120 dB-SPL cause discomfort.

Question 10

Dynamic Range

Answer 10

The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds that a sound source can produce without distortion.

Question 11

Auditory Fatigue/Temporary Threshold Shift

Answer 11

A reversible desensitization in hearing that disappears in any- where from a few hours to several days. Also called auditory fatigue.

Question 12

Pitch

Answer 12

The subjective perception of frequency—the highness or lowness of a sound.

Question 13

Octave

Answer 13

The interval between two sounds that have a

frequency ratio of 2:1.

Question 14

Sound Frequency Spectrum

Answer 14

The range of frequencies audible to human hearing: about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Question 15

Bass

Answer 15

The low range of the audible frequency spectrum; usually from 20 to 320 Hz.

Question 16

Midrange

Answer 16

The part of the frequency spectrum to which humans are most sensitive; the frequencies between roughly 320 and 2,560 Hz.

Question 17

Treble

Answer 17

Frequency range between roughly 5,120 Hz and 20,000 Hz, the highest two octaves in the audi- ble frequency spectrum.

Question 18

Equal Loudness Principle

Answer 18

The principle that confirms the human ear’s nonlinear sensitivity to all audible frequencies: that midrange frequencies are perceived with greatest intensity and that bass and treble frequencies are perceived with lesser intensity.

Question 19

Masking

Answer 19

The hiding of some sounds by other sounds when each is a different frequency and they are presented together.

Question 20

Timbre + Sound Envelope (ADSR)

Answer 20

Changes in the loudness of a sound over time, described as occurring in four stages: attack, initial decay, sustain, and release (ADSR).

Question 21

Sine Wave

Answer 21

A fundamental frequency with no harmonics or overtones. Also called pure tone.

Question 22

Triangle Wave

Answer 22

a non-sinusoidal waveform. It is a periodic, piecewise linear, continuous real function.
Contains only odd harmonics, due to its odd symmetry.

Question 23

Square Wave

Answer 23

A non-sinusoidal Frequency with the amplitude alternates at a steady frequency between fixed minimum and maximum values, with the same duration at minimum and maximum.

Question 24

White And Pink Noise

Answer 24

Flat Noise Constants

Question 25

Fundamental

Answer 25

The lowest frequency a sound source can produce. Also called first harmonic and primary frequency.

Question 26

Harmonics

Answer 26

Frequencies that are exact multiples of the fundamental.