PS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Basilar Membrane, Oval Window, Outer Ear
Document Summary
Characteristics of sound: stimulus for hearing = sound waves, described by 2 characteristics, frequency, amplitude. The human ear- the parts: pinna, auditory canal, eardrum, ossicles, cochlea, hair cells. What the parts do: outer ear, pinna (part you use for earrings & sunglasses) October 16, 2012: sound enters auditory canal, causes tympanic membrane (eardrum) to vibrate, middle ear, vibration cause malleus, incus, stapes (3 tiny bones) to vibrate, amplify sound more than 30x, cause oval window to move in and out. Our current understanding: both theories have flaws and both have some merit, blend of the two is accepted now. Sound location: binaural hearing (2 ears) helps localize sound, timing of sounds, sounds arrive at closest ear first. October 16, 2012: use differences in arrival time. Intensity of sounds: sound arriving at closest ear will be more intense, use differences in intensities.
