Deck 10: Sound and the Ears

Question 1

The cochlea is located in the:

A) outer ear.
B) middle ear.
C) inner ear.
D) dendrites.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

_____ is one of the MOST important physical dimensions of sound.

A) Timbre
B) Pitch
C) Loudness
D) Waveform

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The perceptual dimension of sound that is related to the physical dimension of amplitude is known as:

A) timbre.
B) pitch.
C) frequency.
D) loudness.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

In the process of sound amplification, the incus displaces the _____ that transmits vibrations to the oval window.

A) hammer
B) round window
C) stapes
D) cochlea

Question 5

According to the audibility curve, auditory sensitivity is maximal at frequencies in the range of _____ Hz.

A) 20 to 200
B) 100 to 1,000
C) 500 to 5,000
D) 5,000 to 50,000

Question 6

The perceptual dimension of sound that corresponds to the physical dimension of frequency is known as:

A) timbre.
B) pitch.
C) loudness.
D) amplitude.

Question 7

A curve showing the minimum amplitude at which sounds can be detected at each frequency is known as the _____.

A) audibility curve
B) absolute threshold curve
C) harmonic curve
D) fundamental frequency curve

Question 8

The _____ is a small bone in the inner ear that transmits sound energy from the tympanic membrane to the incus.

A) stapes
B) malleus
C) hamate
D) pinna

Question 9

The amplitude for pain threshold is _____ dB SPL.

A) 60
B) 80
C) 100
D) 120

Question 10

A Fourier analysis of a note played on a flute and a guitar would show that the:

A) flute is always louder than the guitar.
B) flute plays a different fundamental frequency.
C) flute and guitar produce different harmonic frequencies at the same amplitude.
D) flute and guitar produce the same harmonic frequencies but at different amplitudes.

Question 11

In the context of audibility curve, MOST human speech sounds fall in the range of _____ Hz.

A) 20 to 200
B) 100 to 1,000
C) 500 to 5,000
D) 5,000 to50,000

Question 12

Giselle sings in a B-flat note, while her brother plays his trumpet in the same note. The pitch and loudness in both of these cases are the same. The difference in sound quality between these two sounds is called:

A) harmonics.
B) frequency.
C) timbre.
D) amplitude.

Question 13

A(n) _____ is a physical unit used to measure sound amplitude and is logarithmically related to sound pressure measured in micropascals.

A) decibel
B) hertz
C) ampere
D) volt

Question 14

The fundamental frequency for a periodic sound with the second harmonic of 200 Hz and the third harmonic of 300 Hz would be _____ Hz.

A) 60
B) 80
C) 100
D) 150

Question 15

The auditory canal is located in the:

A) outer ear.
B) middle ear.
C) Eustachian tube.
D) tectorial membrane.

Question 16

The _____ of a periodic sound wave refers to the number of cycles per second.

A) frequency
B) amplitude
C) pitch
D) loudness

Question 17

The _____ is the outermost portion of the ear that is shaped somewhat like a funnel and consists of fat and cartilage with various random-looking folds and ridges in it.

A) tympanic membrane
B) cochlea
C) malleus
D) pinna

Question 18

The _____ is a fluid-filled part of the inner ear.

A) Eustachian tube
B) tympanic membrane
C) cochlea
D) pinna

Question 19

Pure tones can be approximated by the sound of a:

A) piano.
B) guitar.
C) trumpet.
D) flute.

Question 20

The _____ forms an air-tight seal between the outer ear and the middle ear and vibrates in response to the sound waves that strike it.

A) Eustachian tube
B) oval window
C) basilar membrane
D) tympanic membrane

Question 21

The _____ is an opening in the partitioning membranes at the apex of the cochlea.

A) oval window
B) round window
C) vestibular canal
D) helicotrema

Question 22

Which statement BEST defines the volley principle?

A) For sounds greater than 1,000 Hz, neurons will fire at every peak of the incoming sound wave.
B) Neurons fire at every alternate peak of an incoming sound wave.
C) Neurons fire at a steady rate that does not vary with the frequency, and this steady rate affects the peak of a soundwave.
D) Action potentials are produced at the same time as peak of the incoming sound wave, but not necessarily at every peak.

Question 23

Which term can BEST be defined as a frequency representation based on a match between the frequencies of incoming sound waves and the firing rates of auditory nerve fibers?

A) place code
B) temporal code
C) membrane code
D) Type II code.

Question 24

The outer hair cells:

A) lack stereocilia unlike the inner hair cells.
B) amplify and sharpen the responses of the inner hair cells.
C) are present only in animals.
D) float free in the endolymph.

Question 25

The _____, which is located in the inner ear, is filled with endolymph.

A) vestibular canal
B) tympanic canal
C) cochlear duct
D) basilar membrane

Question 26

If a 15,000-Hz tone enters the inner ear, the peak of the traveling wave in the basilar membrane will be:

A) halfway between the apex and the base.
B) closer to the apex.
C) closer to the base.
D) closer to the pinna.

Question 27

According to Georg von Békésy, the _____ of the basilar membrane at each location determines its response to different sound frequencies.

A) stiffness
B) thickness
C) length
D) breadth

Question 28

Type I auditory nerve fibers:

A) comprise only about 5 percent of the fibers in each auditory nerve.
B) are filled with endolymph.
C) conduct action potentials rather slowly.
D) are thick and myelinated.

Question 29

Identify an example of tinnitus.

A) An individual hears a phone ringing.
B) An individual hears an echo in a room.
C) An individual hears a constant ringing in the absence of an actual sound.
D) An individual sees a bright light coming from afar but cannot determine the source.

Question 30

In the context of auditory perception, inner hair cells are connected to:

A) a Type I auditory nerve fiber.
B) a Type II auditory nerve fiber.
C) both Type I and Type II auditory nerve fibers.
D) dendrites.

Question 31

According to the text, the Eustachian tube briefly opens while:

A) yawning.
B) blinking.
C) walking.
D) running.

Question 32

In the context of auditory perception, _____ leads to critical reactions in both types of hair cells.

A) positively charged potassium and calcium ions
B) the pinna
C) the place code and the frequency code
D) the membrane potential

Question 33

The dynamic range of hearing is _____ the range of firing rates of any one auditory nerve fiber.

A) not related to
B) directly proportional to
C) much greater than
D) much less than

Question 34

The_____ is a membrane-covered opening that serves as a "relief valve" at the base of the tympanic canal.

A) oval window
B) round window
C) Eustachian tube
D) helicotrema

Question 35

The organ of Corti is:

A) one of the three chambers in the cochlea.
B) located in the vestibular canal.
C) located on the round window.
D) responsible for auditory transduction.

Question 36

Auditory transduction occurs when inner hair cells release:

A) oxytocin.
B) neurotransmitters.
C) perilymph.
D) endolymph.

Question 37

One of the three chambers in the cochlea that is separated from the cochlear duct by Reissner's membrane and is filled with perilymph is known as the:

A) vestibular canal.
B) cochlear duct.
C) tympanic canal.
D) helicotrema.

Question 38

The inner hair cells:

A) are responsible for auditory transduction.
B) amplify and sharpen the responses of the outer hair cells.
C) lack stereocilia.
D) rest on the tectorial membrane.

Question 39

A shearing force occurs on stereocilia because of the movement of the:

A) tympanic and basilar membranes.
B) tympanic membrane and the oval window.
C) basilar and tectorial membranes.
D) endolymph and perilymph.

Question 40

In addition to the tectorial membrane, the three critical components of the organ of Corti consist of :

A) the incus and the stapes.
B) the basilar membrane and Reissner's membrane.
C) the inner hair cells and outer hair cells.
D) the tympanic membrane and the auditory nerve.

Question 41

Discuss the roles of outer hair cells and inner hair cells in the process of sound transduction.

Question 42

Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss caused due to:

A) noise.
B) genetics.
C) drugs.
D) diseases.

Question 43

Why do people often chew gum to maintain their hearing and minimize physical discomfort during an airplane takeoff?

Question 44

When a cello and a trombone play the same musical note , which physical property of their sound is alike? Which physical property of their sound is different?

Question 45

What is a cochlear implant? Explain its basic structure and function.

Question 46

For many children who are born severely or profoundly deaf, a cochlear implant is:

A) least effective.
B) effective only if they are free from disease.
C) most effective when installed in adulthood.
D) most effective when installed early in life.

Question 47

A _____ is NOT an external component of a cochlear implant.

A) sound processor
B) transmitter placed on the scalp
C) directional microphone
D) combination receiver-stimulator

Question 48

A high-fidelity loudspeaker creates sound when a diaphragm in the shape of a flattened cone vibrates back and forth. The forward movement creates waves of compression, and the backward movement creates rarefaction. These movements create a complete sound pressure cycle. If the tone goes through 1,000 cycles per second, what is the frequency of the sound being produced?

Question 49

With reference to the chart of Equal Loudness Contours (Figure 10.6), arrange these sounds in order of loudness, from the lowest to the loudest: 63 Hz at 30 dB, 1,000 Hz at 30 dB, 8,000 Hz at 30 dB. Also, explain your answer. (Note that this question requires students to have Figure 10.6 from the text.)

Question 50

In the context of hair-cell death, which statement is TRUE of excitotoxicity?

A) It is a type of damage in which excessive amounts of the neurotransmitter glutamate are released.
B) It is a type of damage that is a result of reduced cochlear flow due to mechanical damage to the wall of the cochlea.
C) It is a type of damage caused by the production of oxygen-based free radicals that can destabilize other molecules.
D) It is a type of damage caused by the production of oxytocin.

Question 51

_____ cause(s) conductive hearing loss.

A) Faulty chromosomes
B) A ruptured auditory nerve
C) Leukemia
D) Otosclerosis

Question 52

How does the basilar membrane determine the place code for frequency representation?

Question 53

Which condition is NOT a type of conductive hearing impairment?

A) blockage of the auditory canal
B) damage to the ossicles
C) perforated tympanic membrane
D) damage to the pinna

Question 54

What is Fourier analysis? What role does Fourier analysis play in the functioning of a cochlear implant?

Question 55

Is it true that any sound source (loudspeaker, human voice, etc.) projects molecules outward and the sound is heard when those molecules reach a listener's ears? Discuss.

Question 56

Presbycusis is NOT caused by:

A) lifelong exposure to loud noise.
B) an infection in the middle ear.
C) head trauma.
D) smoking and alcohol abuse.