Introductory psychologyLesson 4 of 6 in the course Sensation and Perception

Hearing: Auditory Perception, Localization, and Hearing Loss

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Hearing transforms pressure waves in the environment into neural signals the brain can interpret. This lesson follows sound through the ear and explores how we perceive pitch and locate sounds.

The outer ear includes the pinna, the auditory canal, and the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. The pinna is the visible part of the ear and helps collect sound. Sound waves travel down the auditory canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate.

All flashcards

What do the ossicles do in hearing?
The malleus, incus, and stapes transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the oval window.
How do cochlear hair cells contribute to hearing?
They respond to movement in the cochlea and generate neural impulses.
How do temporal theory and place theory explain pitch?
Temporal theory links pitch to neural firing rate; place theory links it to the location stimulated along the basilar membrane.
Which regions of the basilar membrane respond best to high and low frequencies?
The base responds best to high frequencies; the tip responds best to low frequencies.
What are interaural level and timing differences?
They are differences in sound intensity and arrival time between the ears that help locate sounds horizontally.

Quiz questions

  1. What is characteristic of sensorineural hearing loss?Answer: Damage to inner-ear sensory structures or neural transmission to the brain.
  2. How can a hearing aid help some people with hearing loss?Answer: It amplifies incoming sound to support mechanical transmission toward the cochlea.
  3. How does a cochlear implant provide auditory input?Answer: Its electrode array electrically stimulates the auditory nerve.
  4. Which sequence describes the route of auditory signals toward the cortex?Answer: Auditory nerve, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate nucleus, auditory cortex.

Based on Psychology 2e by Rose M. Spielman, William J. Jenkins, Marilyn D. Lovett (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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