Download the auditory system

Name_______________________________Date________Per._____
AP Psych Unit 3: Sensation & Perception
THE AUDITORY SYSTEM
Learning Goal Describe the structures and functions of the parts of the ear and explain the theories of
hearing.
Go to http://www.worthpublishers.com/exploring5e/content/psychsim5/launcher.html and click on “Auditory
System.”
Structure of the Ear
The ear is broken down into three main sections: Outer, Middle, Inner. Specific parts make up each of these
sections. If you hold your mouse over the blue terms, the definition will appear.
Outer Ear
Pinna 
Ear Canal (Auditory Canal) 
Ear Drum (Tympanic Membrane) 
Middle Ear
Ear Drum (see above)
Ossicles (Hammer, Anvil, Stirrup) 
Inner Ear
Oval Windows (http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=1642) 
Cochlea 
Hair cells 
Basilar membrane 
Semicircular Canals 
Auditory nerve 
The Sound Wave
The stimulus for the ear is a sound wave. Define sound wave.
Please draw a sound wave here 
What are the three aspects of sound waves?
Frequency
Define frequency.
How is frequency measured and calculated?
What is pitch?
How is pitch related to frequency?
Amplitude
Define amplitude & draw a wave to visually explain amplitude.
What are decibels?
What did you learn about your car radio and amplitude?
Waveform
What is meant by “waveform”?
Draw a few different waveforms.
What is timbre?
RECAP
The frequency of a sound wave determines the _______________________ of the sound we perceive.
The amplitude of a sound wave determines the _______________________ of the sound we perceive.
The waveform of a sound wave determines the _______________________ of the sound we perceive.
Hearing the Sound  Make sure you read this slide.
Transmitting the Sound
What happens inside the cochlea? Please make sure you include the concepts of basilar membrane, oval
window, and hair cells in your response.
How does pressure change influence the creation of neural impulses?
What is the auditory nerve?
Where in the brain is the hearing center?
__________________________________________________________________________
Now go to http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/hearing.html to summarize/explain each of the following
sections.
Sound information from each ear is distributed to both sides of the brain
We need two ears to locate a sound source.
Problems in different parts of the auditory system can cause deafness (conductive and
sensorineural hearing loss).
Conductive hearing loss:
Sensorineural hearing loss: