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Module 20 Reading Assignment

The document provides an overview of key concepts related to hearing including: - Definitions of terms like audition, frequency, pitch, parts of the ear. - Descriptions of different types of hearing loss and treatments like cochlear implants. - Explanations of theories of hearing such as place theory and frequency theory. - Discussions of how the anatomy of the ear and differences in sound reaching each ear help determine the location and direction of sounds.

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Dana M.
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59 views

Module 20 Reading Assignment

The document provides an overview of key concepts related to hearing including: - Definitions of terms like audition, frequency, pitch, parts of the ear. - Descriptions of different types of hearing loss and treatments like cochlear implants. - Explanations of theories of hearing such as place theory and frequency theory. - Discussions of how the anatomy of the ear and differences in sound reaching each ear help determine the location and direction of sounds.

Uploaded by

Dana M.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AP Psychology Reading Assignment:

Module 20 – Hearing

Directions - Complete the following assignment on a separate sheet of paper.

Part 1​: Define the following terms.

Audition -
Is the formal phrase for hearing. It comes from the root word, “audio” which means “sounds.”
Frequency -
The number of occurrences of a phenomenon, particularly a categorical variable such as sex.
Pitch​ -
A musical term that refers to the sound quality; highness or lowness (frequency) of a sound or musical tone. All
sounds have a measurable frequency.
Middle Ear -
Refers to the space between the eardrum and the inner ear, where three tiny bones (also known as ossicles) are
located.
Cochlea -
A bony, spiral-shaped, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear through which sound waves travel and trigger nerve
impulses.
Inner Ear -
Innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea (the spiral shape part that has lots of neural receptors for
picking up auditory stimuli), semicircular canals, and vestibular sacs.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss -
Is loss of hearing resulting from problems in the inner ear, in the nerve from the inner ear to the brain, or in the
brain.
Conduction Hearing Loss -
Is hearing loss due to sound waves not reaching the sensing mechanism within the ear. This can result from
damage to the ear canal and/or tiny ear bones that conduct sounds, or blockage from earwax, infectious
material, or a tumor.
Cochlear Implant -
Is a small electronic device surgically implanted in and behind the ear to help deaf people hear.
Place Theory -
A theory of hearing that states that our perception of sound depends on where each component frequency
produces vibrations along the basilar membrane.
Frequency Theory -
This theory of how we hear sounds states that there are pulses that travel up the auditory nerve, carrying the
information about sound to the brain for processing, and that the rate of this pulse matches the frequency of
whatever tone you are hearing exactly.

Part 2​: Answer the following questions.

1. Define the two physical characteristics of sound, and identify how they determine our awareness of loudness
and pitch.
Amplitude,Determines noise and Frequency, Identifies the pitch
There are medium frequency and low pitch long waves whereas in High frequency & high pitch of short waves.
2. How might the different issues involved in hearing loss impact the treatment of each of these respective
issues?
For individuals with sensorineural hearing damage, the best way to regain hearing is with a cochlear implant.
3. Consider figure 20.2 and a typical day in your life. Estimate the highest decibel and source of sound you are
exposed to daily.
With my current situation I think the highest source of sound is my brother when he is playing on his counsel
and loses he tends to yell alot so I’d say the Decibel is 80.
4. In what way do the limitations of cochlear implants add to the explanation of the critical period theory
discussed in Module 19?
A cochlear implant would not be able to facilitate natural hearing if the brain has never learnt to absorb and
understand sound during infancy.
5. How does Helmholtz’s place theory explain how we discriminate pitch?
We hear multiple pitches and at different points along the cochlea basilar membrane, different sound waves
activate activity. The brain therefore defines a pitch by identifying the particular location where the neuronal
signal is produced.
6. How does the frequency theory suggest an alternative to the explanation of how we discriminate pitch?
By tracking the strength of electrical signals that pass up the auditory nerve, the brain reads pitch.
7. Describe how the volley principle addresses the limitations of neural firing when explaining how we hear
pitch?
Alternate firing could be necessary for nerve cells. They will hit a combined frequency of 1000 waves per
second by shooting in a fast succession, equal to that of the pitch when received.
8. How might the placement of our ears alongside our head make it difficult to hear sounds coming from
certain locations? Explain.
It might be difficult to identify where it originated from if the noise is not close to 1 ear.
9. How might our ability to locate sounds be different if we had one ear above our nose, as suggested by the
text’s author?
As that capacity depends on the fact that sound enters 1 ear before the other, we will not be able to detect the
direction of sound.
10. Discuss how the physical characteristics of sound, along with our own body’s anatomy, works to help us
determine directionality of sound?
Minute variations in the arrival of sound to an ear can be detected by the auditory system, which activates one
faster, because you know that it originated from the whole side.

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