The mechanism for determining sound direction based on the difference in sound intensities between the two ears works best for which frequencies?

Correct answer: Higher frequencies

Explanation

This question distinguishes between the two main cues for horizontal sound localization and their respective optimal frequency ranges.

Other questions

Question 1

What is the correct sequence of the three ossicles that conduct sound from the tympanic membrane to the cochlea?

Question 2

The tensor tympani muscle constantly pulls on the handle of the malleus. What is the primary purpose of this action?

Question 3

By what factor does the ossicular lever system increase the force of movement of the stapes, even though it reduces the distance of movement?

Question 4

What is the total approximate force multiplication factor from the sound waves at the tympanic membrane to the fluid of the cochlea, due to the combination of the lever system and surface area differences?

Question 5

The attenuation reflex can reduce the intensity of lower frequency sound transmission by how many decibels?

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of the attenuation reflex, which involves the contraction of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles?

Question 7

Which membrane separates the scala vestibuli from the scala media within the cochlea?

Question 8

On which structure within the cochlea does the organ of Corti lie?

Question 9

What physical characteristic of the basilar fibers allows the basilar membrane to resonate at different frequencies along its length?

Question 10

High-frequency sounds cause the basilar membrane to vibrate best at which location?

Question 11

What is the phenomenon called where a fluid wave travels along the basilar membrane toward the helicotrema, initiated by the stapes pushing on the oval window?

Question 12

According to the principle of sound frequency discrimination, what happens to a high-frequency sound wave as it travels along the basilar membrane?

Question 13

What is the approximate number of inner hair cells and outer hair cells in the organ of Corti, respectively?

Question 14

What percentage of the auditory nerve endings terminate on the inner hair cells, highlighting their importance in sound detection?

Question 15

How are the hair cells in the organ of Corti excited?

Question 16

Bending the stereocilia on a hair cell in the direction of the longer ones causes what to happen in the cell membrane?

Question 17

What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter believed to be released by hair cells at their synapses with auditory nerve fibers?

Question 18

The endolymph that fills the scala media has a high concentration of which ion, which is the opposite of the perilymph?

Question 19

What is the approximate value of the endocochlear potential, the electrical potential difference between the endolymph in the scala media and the perilymph?

Question 20

The "place principle" is the major method for detecting sound frequencies. For which range of frequencies is the "volley" or "frequency" principle also postulated to play a role in discrimination?

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways the auditory system determines the loudness of a sound?

Question 22

What does one decibel represent in terms of an actual increase in sound energy?

Question 23

What is the typical frequency range of hearing for a young person?

Question 24

In the auditory nervous pathway, where do second-order neurons from the cochlear nuclei primarily terminate?

Question 25

The ability to localize the source of a sound is significantly affected by destruction of the auditory cortex on one side. Why does this not cause complete deafness in the corresponding ear?

Question 26

How does a person primarily determine whether a sound is emanating from in front of or behind them?

Question 27

Which part of the superior olivary nucleus has a specific mechanism for detecting the time lag between acoustical signals entering the two ears?

Question 28

What type of hearing loss is characterized by impairment of the cochlea, the auditory nerve, or the central nervous system circuits from the ear?

Question 29

What does a hearing loss of 30 decibels at a particular frequency mean when using an audiometer?

Question 30

In an audiogram for a person with typical 'middle ear air conduction deafness' (e.g., from otosclerosis), what pattern of hearing loss is expected for air conduction versus bone conduction?

Question 31

What is the primary reason that impedance matching is necessary for efficient hearing?

Question 32

What is the approximate surface area of the tympanic membrane compared to the surface area of the stapes, which contributes to impedance matching?

Question 33

For which range of sound frequencies is impedance matching provided by the tympanic membrane and ossicular system most perfect?

Question 34

A reflex occurs to cause contraction of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles after a latent period of how long, when loud sounds are transmitted?

Question 35

What is the main function of Reissner’s membrane, even though it is so thin that it does not obstruct the passage of sound vibrations?

Question 36

What is the approximate number of basilar fibers contained within the basilar membrane?

Question 37

What happens to the lengths and diameters of the basilar fibers as they project from the base of the cochlea to the apex (helicotrema)?

Question 38

How is the destination of a traveling wave along the basilar membrane determined for a specific sound frequency?

Question 39

What is the primary ion responsible for the depolarization of auditory hair cells when their stereocilia are bent?

Question 40

What is the phenomenon called where retrograde nerve fibers from the brain stem control the sensitivity of the inner hair cells, influenced by the outer hair cells?

Question 41

How many cation-conducting channels are estimated to open in a hair cell when the stereocilia are bent, leading to depolarization?

Question 42

In the central auditory pathway, where does the first crossover of signals between the two sides of the brain stem occur?

Question 43

What is the consequence of destroying one's entire primary auditory cortex on one side?

Question 45

Which brain stem nucleus is primarily concerned with detecting the difference in intensities of sound reaching the two ears for sound localization?

Question 46

In an audiogram of an individual with nerve deafness, what is the expected finding for air conduction and bone conduction hearing tests?

Question 47

According to the text, what is a common cause of nerve deafness for high-frequency sounds in almost all older people?

Question 48

The power law describes how a person interprets changes in sound intensity. A one trillion times increase in sound energy is interpreted by the ear as approximately how much of a change?

Question 49

What is the primary role of the large lateral portions of the cerebellar hemispheres in the context of hearing and motor control?

Question 50

What is the effect of retrograde inhibitory signals that travel from the superior olivary nucleus to the sound-receptor hair cells in the organ of Corti?