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Perception, 4/e

Robert Sekuler, Brandeis University
Randolph Blake, Vanderbilt University

The Ear and the Auditory System


1	Which statement is true about the distinction between sound and acoustic energy?
		A)	Acoustic energy refers only to vibrations through air.
		B)	Sound requires a perceiver.
		C)	Sound is a purely physical quality.
		D)	There is no distinction.


2	Compared to air, if molecules are more densely packed, the sound energy will
		A)	travel faster.
		B)	travel slower.
		C)	travel the same speed.
		D)	not travel at all.


3	Which of these statements is not true of echoes?
		A)	The intensity of an echo depends on the reflecting surface.
		B)	Echoes can have dramatic effects on the intensity of a sound.
		C)	Echoes can be used to determine the distance to an object.
		D)	Echoes travel at a slower rate than the original sound.


4	The SPL in dBSPL stands for
		A)	sonic Pascal logarithm
		B)	sound pressure level.
		C)	sonic power level.
		D)	sound power logarithm.


5	The number of cycles that occur in a second is measured in what unit?
		A)	amps.
		B)	Pascals.
		C)	hertz.
		D)	ohms.


6	The difference between noise and most environmental sounds is environmental sounds
		A)	are composed of many component frequencies.
		B)	have non-random temporal structure.
		C)	have larger intensities.
		D)	are composed of pure tone frequencies.


7	The pinna plays an important role in
		A)	sound transduction.
		B)	frequency analysis.
		C)	impedance matching.
		D)	sound localization.


8	The tympanic membrane is more commonly known as the
		A)	eardrum.
		B)	ear lobe.
		C)	round window.
		D)	cochlear membrane.


9	The impedance between the inner ear and the outer ear is marked by the
		A)	action of the acoustic reflex.
		B)	uneven atmospheric pressure between the middle ear and environment.
		C)	difference in shape between the oval window and the round window.
		D)	difference in size between the eardrum and the oval window.


10	Which of these statements about the acoustic reflex is not true?
		A)	It can reduce the intensity of sound transmission by as much as 30 dB.
		B)	It primarily damps high frequency sounds.
		C)	It takes about 1/20th of a second to exert its influence.
		D)	It is activated whenever we talk.


11	The organ of Corti sits on top of the
		A)	tympanic membrane.
		B)	tectorial membrane.
		C)	basilar membrane.
		D)	vestibular membrane.


12	The_____ hair cells, which constitute the _____ of hair cells, are primarily involved in _____.
		A)	inner; majority; amplification of basilar membrane displacement
		B)	inner; minority; transduction of sound into auditory nerve activity
		C)	outer; majority; transduction of sound into auditory nerve activity
		D)	outer; minority; amplification of basilar membrane displacement


13	Von Bekesy's experiment with the artificial basilar membrane provided evidence for the
		A)	temporal theory.
		B)	amplitude theory.
		C)	place theory.
		D)	frequency theory.


14	Which of these statements is not a criticism of the temporal theory?
		A)	The basilar membrane cannot vibrate uniformly over its length.
		B)	Single auditory nerve fibers cannot fire beyond 1000 impulses per second.
		C)	It would be hard for higher order neurons to combine information from multiple auditory nerve fibers.
		D)	It would only work for low frequency tones.


15	The base of the basilar membrane is the location where
		A)	low frequency components of sounds are transduced.
		B)	medium frequency components are transduced.
		C)	high frequency components are transduced.
		D)	all frequency components are transduced.


16	The inner ear's ability to generate sound is called
		A)	tinnitus.
		B)	cortical echoing.
		C)	resonant frequency expression.
		D)	cochlear emissions.


17	The frequency tuning curves of auditory nerve fibers reveal
		A)	there is a harp fall off in response to frequencies below the characteristic frequency.
		B)	each auditory nerve responds to all audible frequencies.
		C)	their response unambiguously distinguishes stimulus frequency and intensity.
		D)	different neurons have different characteristic frequencies.


18	High spontaneous fiber types begin firing at ____ intensities compared to low spontaneous fiber types.
		A)	lower
		B)	higher
		C)	the same
		D)	variable


19	Interaural time and intensity differences can be used to
		A)	locate sounds.
		B)	discriminate frequencies.
		C)	identify a particular speaker.
		D)	detect low intensity sounds.

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