Test Bank + Chapter 9 Hearing Physiology and Psychoacoustics Exam key 6e - Updated Test Bank | Sensation & Perception 6e Wolfe by Jeremy Wolfe. DOCX document preview.

Test Bank + Chapter 9 Hearing Physiology and Psychoacoustics Exam key 6e

Test Bank

by Evan M. Palmer

to accompany

Sensation & Perception, Sixth Edition

Wolfe • Kluender • Levi • Bartoshuk • Herz • Klatzky • Merfeld

Chapter 9: Hearing: Physiology and Psychoacoustics

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is not an advantage of hearing over vision?

a. Our hearing does not need to adjust to the dark while our vision does.

b. We can hear objects that are behind us.

c. We can hear through barriers that light cannot penetrate.

d. We can tell the distances of objects better with hearing than vision.

e. Our ears are still open when we sleep.

Textbook Reference: 9.1 The Function of Hearing

Learning Objective: 9.1.1 Describe the function of hearing.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

2. The amplitude of a sound is the

a. amount of sound energy falling on a unit area.

b. frequency of the sound.

c. magnitude of displacement of a sound pressure wave.

d. psychological aspect of sound related to frequency.

e. pitch.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

3. Refer to the figure.

Illustrations explaining amplitude and frequency. Illustration shows a tuning fork that is vibrating. This vibration leads to compression and expansion of air molecules. A sine wave representation of the pressure waves created by the vibration of the tuning fork is shown. The wavelength is the distance covered by one cycle of the sinusoidal wave. The amplitude is the distance between a peak and a valley in the sinusoidal wave.

The bottom portion of the figure depicts the simplest kind of sound, known as a

a. sine wave.

b. simple sound.

c. period.

d. phase.

e. noise.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

4. Frequency is usually measured in units called

a. mm.

b. Hz.

c. mL.

d. dB.

e. arcmin.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

5. A computer CPU’s processing power is measured in Hz (usually giga-Hz, GHz) because it depends on the

a. amount of heat the chip generates.

b. complexity of each operation it performs.

c. amount of electricity it requires.

d. amplitude of the operations it performs.

e. number of operations it performs per second.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

6. _______ is the psychological aspect of sound related to perceived intensity or magnitude.

a. Loudness

b. Pitch

c. Frequency

d. Intensity

e. Tone

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

7. The physical intensity of sound is measured in units called

a. mm.

b. Hz.

c. mL.

d. dB.

e. arcmin.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

8. A machine can create 10 lollipops per second. How many Hz is that?

a. 1

b. 2

c. 10

d. 20

e. 100

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

9. Which sound is the loudest?

a. 2 dB

b. 4 dB

c. 6 dB

d. 8 dB

e. 10 dB

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

10. _______ is the psychological aspect of sound related mainly to the fundamental frequency.

a. Loudness

b. Pitch

c. Frequency

d. Intensity

e. Tone

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.2 Explain how complex sounds can be described by their harmonic spectrum.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

11. Which instrument can create a noise with the lowest fundamental frequency?

a. Violin

b. Piccolo

c. Tuba

d. Flute

e. Harp

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.2 Explain how complex sounds can be described by their harmonic spectrum.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

12. The lowest-frequency component of a complex period sound is its

a. first-order phasic frequency.

b. amplitude.

c. bass.

d. treble.

e. fundamental frequency.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.2 Explain how complex sounds can be described by their harmonic spectrum.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

13. A complex sound consists of

a. many sinusoidal components of different frequencies.

b. several cycles.

c. phases.

d. periods originating from the same sinusoidal component.

e. cycles at more than 1000 Hz.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.2 Explain how complex sounds can be described by their harmonic spectrum.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

14. Refer to the figure.

An illustration showing the spectral shapes and timbre of different musical instruments. In all the instruments the middle C is sounded that has a frequency of 262 Hertz. The spectral shapes of a pure tone, tenor saxophone, trombone, and piano are shown. The spectral shapes are different for each even though the same tone of the same frequency is played.

This figure depicts the _______ of four different sounds.

a. “high risk” thresholds

b. pain thresholds

c. harmonic spectra

d. normal atmospheric pressure

e. audible range

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.2 Explain how complex sounds can be described by their harmonic spectrum.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

15. Refer to the figure.

An illustration showing the spectral shapes and timbre of different musical instruments. In all the instruments the middle C is sounded that has a frequency of 262 Hertz. The spectral shapes of a pure tone, tenor saxophone, trombone, and piano are shown. The spectral shapes are different for each even though the same tone of the same frequency is played.

The shapes of each function depicted in this figure determines the _______ of each the four sounds.

a. timbre

b. notes

c. pitch

d. white noise

e. threshold

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.3 Define timbre.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

16. Refer to the figure.

An illustration showing the spectral shapes and timbre of different musical instruments. In all the instruments the middle C is sounded that has a frequency of 262 Hertz. The spectral shapes of a pure tone, tenor saxophone, trombone, and piano are shown. The spectral shapes are different for each even though the same tone of the same frequency is played.

Which two of the sounds listed in this figure would be the most different, in terms of their timbre?

a. Pure tone and tenor saxophone

b. Pure tone and trombone

c. Pure tone and piano

d. Trombone and piano

e. They would all sound the same.

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.3 Define timbre.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

17. Sounds are first collected from the environment by the

a. cochlea.

b. tympanic membrane.

c. ossicles.

d. pinna.

e. ear canal.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

18. The purpose of the ear canal is to conduct sound vibrations to the tympanic membrane and

a. prevent damage to the tympanic membrane.

b. dampen loud sounds so they do not damage the inner ear.

c. transduce sound waves into electric signals.

d. provide vestibular feedback to the nervous system.

e. code the amplitude and frequency of sounds.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

19. The _______ is a thin sheet of skin at the end of the outer ear canal that vibrates in response to sound.

a. cochlea

b. tympanic membrane

c. ossicle

d. cochlear partition

e. vestibular canal

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

20. What happens if the ear canal is blocked, as when wearing earplugs?

a. The pinna is no longer be able to collect sounds from the environment.

b. The ossicles within the ear canal are blocked from moving.

c. Sounds echo in the ear canal, making them seem louder.

d. The tympanic membrane vibrates less vigorously.

e. The tympanic membrane shrinks, causing temporary deafness.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

21. Which of the following is part of the middle ear?

a. Pinna

b. Ear Canal

c. Malleus

d. Tympanic Membrane

e. Ear Lobe

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

22. The _______ consists of three tiny bones called ossicles.

a. tympanic membrane

b. middle ear

c. inner ear

d. cochlea

e. outer ear

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

23. One of the roles of the ossicles is to

a. amplify sounds.

b. muffle sounds.

c. prevent the cochlea from vibrating.

d. transmit sound waves back to the environment.

e. protect the ear canal.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

24. What is the correct order of the vibrations from the eardrum as they pass through the ossicles?

a. Incus, malleus, stapes

b. Incus, stapes, malleus

c. Malleus, incus, stapes

d. Malleus, stapes, incus

e. Stapes, incus, malleus

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

25. The ossicles transfer sound vibrations between the _______ and _______.

a. ear canal; tympanic membrane

b. ear canal; cochlea

c. cochlea; vestibular canal

d. vestibular canal; basilar membrane

e. tympanic membrane; oval window

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

26. Vibrations transmitted through the tympanic membrane and middle-ear bones cause the _______ to push and pull the flexible window in and out of the vestibular canal at the base of the cochlea.

a. helicotrema

b. basilar membrane

c. round window

d. stapes

e. pinna

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

27. The acoustic reflex protects the ear from intense sounds by

a. transmitting only low-frequency sounds to the brain.

b. contraction of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles.

c. opening the oval window to transmit vibrations to the round window.

d. transmitting loud noises back to the ear canal.

e. stiffening the round tympanic membrane.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

28. What would happen if you did not have the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles?

a. The vestibular canals would be permanently misaligned, resulting in hearing and equilibrium problems.

b. The cochlea would not be secured in place and might move around.

c. The ear canal would stay permanently open.

d. Loud sounds would cause the ossicles to move too much, potentially causing damage to the inner ear.

e. The ear canal would stay permanently closed.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

29. Which of the following is involved in the acoustic reflex that helps to protect the auditory system from extremely loud sounds?

a. Pinna

b. Stapedius

c. Cochlea

d. Oval window

e. Tectorial membrane

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

30. The tympanic, vestibular, and middle canals are filled with which substance?

a. Muscle

b. Skin

c. Bone

d. Fluid

e. Air

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

31. Most of the information about sound waves is conveyed to the brain by the

a. outer hair cells.

b. inner hair cells.

c. cochlear membrane.

d. tympanic membrane.

e. oval window.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

32. The _______ is where fine changes in sound pressure in the environment are translated into neural signals.

a. outer ear

b. middle ear

c. inner ear

d. tympanic canal

e. oval window

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.2 Explain the process by which sounds are transduced into neural signals in the organ of Corti.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

33. The organ of Corti is a structure on the basilar membrane composed of _______ and dendrites of auditory nerve fibers.

a. hair cells

b. tiny bones

c. fluid-filled chambers

d. muscles

e. mucous

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.2 Explain the process by which sounds are transduced into neural signals in the organ of Corti.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

34. Refer to the figure.

Illustrations of tectorial membrane shear. The first image shows the resting position of the tectorial membrane. The membrane lies over the inner and outer hair cells which are positioned over the basilar membrane. Two more images show a sound-induced vibration causing the basilar membrane to move upward in the upward phase and downward in the downward phase. Shear forces cause the tectorial membrane and the hair cells to move in opposite directions. This action deflects the stereocilia and neurotransmitters are released in the process.

This figure shows what happens when _______ causes a displacement along the cochlear partition.

a. neural firing

b. the auditory system

c. vibration

d. place code

e. head tilt

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.2 Explain the process by which sounds are transduced into neural signals in the organ of Corti.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

35. Which of the following is a spiral structure in the inner ear that has three parallel canals filled with watery fluids?

a. Pinna

b. Tensor tympani

c. Cochlea

d. Ossicle

e. Helicotrema

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.3 Describe how the cochlea encodes frequencies using a place code.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

36. Why is it important for the basilar membrane to move?

a. Movement of the basilar membrane causes hair cells to bend, releasing neurotransmitters.

b. Movement of the basilar membrane causes the ossicles to transmit energy to the oval window, releasing neurotransmitters.

c. Movement of the basilar membrane blocks loud sounds from entering the inner ear, preventing damage to the inner ear structures.

d. Movement of the basilar membrane causes neurons to spike in the ear canal.

e. It’s not; the basilar membrane doesn’t move.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.3 Describe how the cochlea encodes frequencies using a place code.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

37. Refer to the figure.

An image of the basilar membrane inside an unrolled cochlea is shown. Sound moves from the base of the cochlea to the apex. High frequencies displace the basilar membrane in the base of the cochlea. Low frequencies displace the basilar membrane in the apex of the cochlea. The following frequencies of sounds are stimulated in the basilar membrane between the cochlear base and the cochlear apex. The waveform shapes for these frequencies are shown. 1600 Hertz. 800 Hertz. 400 Hertz. 200 Hertz. 100 Hertz. 50 Hertz. 25 Hertz.

This figure demonstrates how

a. the cochlea produces sounds of different frequencies.

b. sound waves can travel at different speeds.

c. complex sounds are made of simple sounds.

d. the auditory nerve transmits information to the brain.

e. the cochlea is tuned to different frequencies.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.3 Describe how the cochlea encodes frequencies using a place code.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

38. How is the harmonic spectrum of sound analogous to the color spectrum of light?

a. We have sound-opponent cells in the auditory nerve just like we have color-opponent cells in the optic nerve.

b. Both sound and light perception depend on sensing small molecules in the air, which vibrate at different frequencies.

c. Both sound and light depend on photoreceptors for sensation and perception.

d. Both sounds and lights consist of many different wavelengths that are encoded independently.

e. Both sound and light are processed by the anterior horn of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

39. A(n) _______ is a map plotting the responses of a neuron or fiber to sine waves with varying frequencies at the lowest intensity that will give rise to a response.

a. spectrum

b. isointensity function

c. threshold tuning curve

d. characteristic frequency

e. place code

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

40. The phenomenon known as two-tone suppression occurs when

a. a second tone of a slightly different frequency is added to the first tone.

b. three tones are heard together.

c. the hair cells are not tuned properly to the particular frequencies heard.

d. several tones are heard at the same time.

e. any more than two tones cannot be heard.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

41. Refer to the graph.

An illustration of two-tone suppression in afferent nerve fibers. A graph shows the threshold tuning curve in dark red that plots the responses an auditory nerve fiber with a characteristic frequency of 8000 Hertz. The frequencies and levels of a second tone are shown in a light red area close to this curve. When this tone is played, the response of the afferent nerve fiber to an 8000 Hertz tone becomes suppressed.

Which frequency and volume combination would be most likely to suppress the firing of the 8000-Hz auditory nerve fiber?

a. 500 Hz at 20 dB

b. 500 Hz at 40 dB

c. 1000 Hz at 40 dB

d. 1000 Hz at 70 dB

e. 8000 Hz at 60 dB

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

42. Rate saturation occurs when a nerve fiber is firing as rapidly as possible and

a. further stimulation cannot increase the firing rate.

b. signal transmission stops because the nerve is firing too rapidly.

c. a second nerve fiber stops firing.

d. a second nerve fiber slows its firing.

e. then slows down.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

43. Refer to the graph.

A graph showing a family of isointensity curves for an afferent nerve fiber with a characteristic frequency of 2000 Hertz. The average firing rate of the neuron in response to tones of 20 decibels, 40 decibels, 60 decibels, and 80 decibels between frequencies of 50 and 3300 Hertz is shown. For sounds of 20 decibels, the neuron seems to fire much faster in response to its characteristic frequency of 2000 Hertz than to neighboring frequencies. At 80 decibels, the neuron fires at about the same rate for frequencies in the range of 800 to 2500 Hertz. The afferent nerve fiber produces no response to frequencies such as 1000 Hertz at low-intensity levels but evokes a substantial response when intensity is increased.

Based on the graph, why would a song sound “muddy” if the volume is turned up really high?

a. Some of the auditory nerve fibers would be overwhelmed by the volume and stop responding to the song.

b. The auditory nerve fibers would respond to a wider range of wavelengths, making individual frequencies in the song less precisely encoded.

c. The increased volume would cause the auditory nerve fibers to become even more selective in terms of which frequencies they respond to.

d. The increased volume would cause the ossicles in the middle ear to “rattle,” interfering with sound perception.

e. Louder sounds have an overrepresentation of lower frequencies, which overstimulates the basilar membrane, causing it to induce too much shearing motion on the hair cells in the cochlea.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

44. Which of these choices refers to a graph that plots an auditory nerve fiber’s firing rate to a wide range of frequencies, all at the same volume?

a. Characteristic frequency

b. Threshold tuning curves

c. Isosensitivity curves

d. Rate-intensity function

e. Weber’s law

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

45. The _______ refers to a graph that plots the firing rate of an auditory nerve fiber in response to a sound of a constant frequency at increasing intensities.

a. threshold tuning curve

b. frequency tuning curve

c. relative amplitude function

d. spike histogram

e. rate-intensity function

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

46. Refer to the graph.

A graph plots the firing rate of afferent nerve fibers against time and shows phase locking. The graph shows a histogram of neural spikes of an afferent nerve fiber in response to a low-frequency sine wave played many times indicated above the histogram. The neuron seems to be firing at one particular phase in each cycle of the sine wave.

This graph illustrates the phenomenon of

a. rate saturation.

b. phase locking.

c. spontaneous firing.

d. threshold tuning.

e. characteristic frequency.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

47. Refer to the graph.

A graph plots the firing rate of afferent nerve fibers against time and shows phase locking. The graph shows a histogram of neural spikes of an afferent nerve fiber in response to a low-frequency sine wave played many times indicated above the histogram. The neuron seems to be firing at one particular phase in each cycle of the sine wave.

What change to the sound wave depicted in the top graph would cause the neuron in the bottom graph to fire less often?

a. Increasing the amplitude

b. Decreasing the amplitude

c. Increasing the frequency

d. Decreasing the frequency

e. Increasing both frequency and amplitude.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

48. Some auditory nerves fire in synchrony at a particular point in the period of a sound wave, which is called

a. phase locking.

b. place code.

c. rate saturation.

d. threshold tuning.

e. branching.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

49. _______ refers to the idea that multiple neurons can provide a temporal code for frequency if each neuron fires first at a distinct point in the period of a sound wave but does not fire on every period.

a. Phase locking

b. Two-tone suppression

c. The volley principle

d. Place code

e. Rate saturation

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

50. Refer to the figure.

Histograms of neural spikes of neurons A to E firing in response to a high-frequency sine wave indicated above the histograms. The neurons seem to be firing at different phases in the cycle of the sine wave. Even though a single neuron is not firing in response to every cycle of the tone, the neurons provide a temporal code for a frequency by firing individually at different periods of the sine wave.

What principle is illustrated in this figure?

a. Two-tone suppression

b. Auditory transduction principle

c. Frequency saturation

d. The volley principle

e. The isointensity principle

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

51. All auditory nerve fibers initially synapse in the

a. cochlear nucleus.

b. cerebellum.

c. belt area.

d. parabelt area.

e. primary auditory cortex.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.5 Describe the auditory brain structures and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

52. What is the correct order for the structures through which sound information is transferred from the cochlea to the auditory cortex?

a. Medial geniculate nucleus, superior olive, inferior colliculus

b. Medial geniculate nucleus, inferior colliculus, superior olive

c. Superior olive, medial geniculate nucleus, inferior colliculus

d. Superior olive, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate nucleus

e. Inferior colliculus, medial geniculate nucleus, superior olive

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.5 Describe the auditory brain structures and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

53. The primary auditory cortex (A1) is organized in a _______ manner.

a. center-surround

b. topographic

c. tonotopic

d. rows-and-columns

e. retinotopic

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.5 Describe the auditory brain structures and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

54. The first area within the temporal lobes that is responsible for processing acoustic information is called the

a. lateral auditory cortex.

b. medial auditory cortex.

c. belt area.

d. parabelt area.

e. primary auditory cortex.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.5 Describe the auditory brain structures and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

55. The belt area has neurons that respond to

a. simple characteristics of sound.

b. more complex characteristics of sound.

c. particular frequencies.

d. low frequencies only.

e. language.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.5 Describe the auditory brain structures and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

56. _______ is the study of the psychological correlates of the physical dimensions of acoustics.

a. Psychoanalysis

b. Psychophysics

c. Psychoacoustics

d. Psychologies

e. Acoustometrics

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.1 Define psychoacoustics.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

57. If you are building a pair of high-tech headphones and want to have the best sound possible for listening to music, what kind of scientist should you hire to help you develop the product?

a. Ophthalmologist

b. Psychoacoustician

c. Audiologist

d. Radiologist

e. Optometrist

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.1 Define psychoacoustics.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

58. Refer to the graph.

A graph shows a linear curve that shows the human audibility threshold. This is the lowest curve indicated in the graph and it plots the lowest sound pressure level that can be reliably detected among frequencies that humans can perceive. Other curves are plotted and labeled 10, 20, 30, and so on up to 90 which are equal-loudness curves. Orange tick marks are marked in the equal-loudness curve for 60. This indicates that a 200 Hertz tone presented at 70 decibels sounds just as loud as a 900 Hertz tone presented at 60 decibels. Black tick marks are present on the 20 and 40 equal-loudness curves. This indicates that a 2000 Hertz tone presented at 40 decibels sounds much louder than a 100 Hertz tone presented at the same level.

What is being plotted in this graph?

a. Auditory response curves

b. Equal frequency curves

c. Psychoacoustic threshold curves

d. Equal sound-level curves

e. Equal-loudness curves

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.2 Describe the concept of equal loudness curves.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

59. Refer to the graph.

A graph shows a linear curve that shows the human audibility threshold. This is the lowest curve indicated in the graph and it plots the lowest sound pressure level that can be reliably detected among frequencies that humans can perceive. Other curves are plotted and labeled 10, 20, 30, and so on up to 90 which are equal-loudness curves. Orange tick marks are marked in the equal-loudness curve for 60. This indicates that a 200 Hertz tone presented at 70 decibels sounds just as loud as a 900 Hertz tone presented at 60 decibels. Black tick marks are present on the 20 and 40 equal-loudness curves. This indicates that a 2000 Hertz tone presented at 40 decibels sounds much louder than a 100 Hertz tone presented at the same level.

When you play piano, why might you have to hit the keys harder with your left hand (lower notes) than your right hand (higher notes) to make them sound the same volume?

a. Low-frequency sounds are more condensed, making them sound louder.

b. High-frequency sounds are less condensed, making them sound softer.

c. Higher-frequency tones require higher dB levels to sound the same volume as lower-frequency tones.

d. Lower-frequency tones require higher dB levels to sound the same volume as higher-frequency tones.

e. The audibility threshold curve is lower for low-frequency sounds and higher for high-frequency sounds.

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.2 Describe the concept of equal loudness curves.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

60. _______ is the process by which a sound at a constant level is perceived as being louder when it is of a greater duration.

a. Auditory synthesis

b. Temporal synthesis

c. Auditory analysis

d. Auditory intensification

e. Temporal integration

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.3 Explain how masking experiments are used to investigate frequency selectivity.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

61. The phenomenon of _______ occurs when a second sound, frequently noise, is added to make the detection of another sound more difficult.

a. obstruction

b. overshadowing

c. auditory suppression

d. interference

e. masking

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.3 Explain how masking experiments are used to investigate frequency selectivity.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

62. Experimenters often use _______ as masking in their studies involving sound.

a. white noise

b. critical bandwidth sounds

c. low-frequency sounds

d. high-frequency sounds

e. inverse phasic sounds

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.3 Explain how masking experiments are used to investigate frequency selectivity.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

63. Why is white noise the best choice for masking random sounds in an environment?

a. White noise consists mostly of low frequencies, which are the best at masking random sounds since they also tend to be mostly low frequencies.

b. White noise consists mostly of medium frequencies, which are the best at masking random sounds since they also tend to be mostly medium frequencies.

c. White noise consists mostly of high frequencies, which are the best at masking random sounds since they also tend to be mostly high frequencies.

d. Since white noise includes energy at all frequencies, it is good at masking random sounds of any frequency.

e. The structured and cyclical nature of white noise provides a clear pattern that interferes with the perception of random sounds in the environment.

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.3 Explain how masking experiments are used to investigate frequency selectivity.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

64. Hearing loss that is caused by problems with bones of the middle ear is called

a. masking.

b. ototoxia.

c. auditory suppression.

d. sensorineural hearing loss.

e. conductive hearing loss.

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

65. Which of the following is not a cause of hearing loss?

a. Otitis media

b. Use of ototoxic drugs

c. Masking

d. Excessive exposure to noise

e. Otosclerosis

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

66. Which type of hearing loss is due to inflammation of the middle ear, occurs commonly in children as a result of infection, and is most often temporary?

a. Otosclerosis

b. Ototoxic

c. Sensorineural

d. Ottitis media

e. Cochlear atrophy

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

67. Why would inflammation of the middle ear result in hearing loss?

a. The ear canal would close, blocking sounds from entering the ear.

b. The ossicles would have a hard time moving, therefore preventing waves from being transmitted into the cochlea.

c. Swelling of the vestibular canal would prevent sounds from traveling through the cochlea.

d. Swelling of the tympanic canal would prevent sounds from traveling through the cochlea.

e. Swelling of the middle canal would prevent sounds being transduced into neural firing by the hair cells.

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

68. Which type of hearing loss is due to defects in the cochlea or auditory nerve?

a. Otosclerosis

b. Ototoxic

c. Sensorineural

d. Ottitis media

e. Cochlear atrophy

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

69. Which type of hearing loss is due to abnormal growth of the middle-ear bones?

a. Otosclerosis

b. Ototoxic

c. Sensorineural

d. Ottitis media

e. Cochlear atrophy

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

70. Which type of hearing loss is due to chemicals, such as antibiotics, or cancer drugs that kill hair cells in the inner ear?

a. Otosclerosis

b. Ototoxic

c. Sensorineural

d. Ottitis media

e. Cochlear atrophy

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

71. Suppose you attend a rock concert one night and do not use hearing protection (e.g., ear plugs). Why might you have a hard time understanding somebody in a noisy restaurant the next day?

a. Auditory hair cell loss

b. Ottitis media

c. Otosclerosis

d. Auditory masking

e. Hidden hearing loss

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

72. _______ can give some people who are deaf the ability to hear.

a. Ototoxic therapy

b. Cochlear implants

c. Otosclerosis

d. Sensorineural implants

e. Cochlear transplant

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.2 Describe some of the approaches for treating hearing loss.

Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Short Answer

73. How are sound waves described, and what psychological aspects do they correspond to?

Textbook Reference: 9.2 What Is Sound?

Learning Objective: 9.2.1 Describe how sound waves can vary in amplitude and frequency.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

74. How is amplitude coded in the cochlea?

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.2 Explain the process by which sounds are transduced into neural signals in the organ of Corti.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

75. How is frequency coded in the cochlea?

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.4 Describe how auditory nerve fibers encode sound frequencies and intensities.

Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

76. What are equal-loudness curves?

Textbook Reference: 9.4 Basic Operating Characteristics of the Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.4.2 Describe the concept of equal loudness curves.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Essay

77. Describe the process of audition, following a sound wave from the outer ear through the middle ear and into the inner ear. How are auditory neurons ultimately activated?

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.1 Describe the physiological structures of the outer, middle, and inner ear and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

78. Describe the pathway of auditory nerve signals from the auditory nerve to primary auditory cortex.

Textbook Reference: 9.3 Basic Structure of the Mammalian Auditory System

Learning Objective: 9.3.5 Describe the auditory brain structures and their functions.

Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

79. Describe both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss and why they occur. Can they be treated?

Textbook Reference: 9.5 Hearing Loss

Learning Objective: 9.5.1 Describe the different types of hearing loss that can result from damage to the outer, middle, or inner ear.

Bloom’s Level: 5. Evaluating

Document Information

Document Type:
DOCX
Chapter Number:
9
Created Date:
Aug 21, 2025
Chapter Name:
Chapter 9 Hearing Physiology and Psychoacoustics
Author:
Jeremy Wolfe

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