Question 1

The auditory canal is located in the:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

The outer hair cells:

Accepted Answer

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. B

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Identify an example of tinnitus.

Accepted Answer

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 8

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

Accepted Answer

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 9

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

The inner hair cells:

Accepted Answer

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 11

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.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of With reference to the chart of Equal...

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

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.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a cochlear implant? Explain its...

Question 15

_____ cause(s) conductive hearing loss.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a cello and a trombone play...

Question 17

Which condition is NOT a type of conductive hearing impairment?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Which statement BEST defines the volley principle?

Accepted Answer

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 19

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

Accepted Answer

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 20

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Exam 10: Sound and the Ears