Learning Objectives

1.) Specify the range and limits of human hearing and explain how this range is measured.

2.) Explain the primary types of hearing loss, and discuss the causes and possible remedies of each.

3.) Define broadband and bandpass noise, center frequency, and critical band. Explain their effect on auditory masking with respect to neural activation.

4.) Explain the relationship between perceived loudness and frequency.

5.) Explain the neural mechanism that enables humans to hear wide variations in the loudness of sound given the limited range of the individual neurons.

6.) Explain the process by which intensity discrimination occurs.

7.) Define pitch and explain its relationship with frequency.

8.) Distinguish between the two theories of pitch perception and explain how each accounts for this perceptual phenomenon.

9.) Explain the processes by which the auditory system is thought to organize the complex sensory input of a stream of sound into separate perceptual events. Include in your discussion the proposed ways in which perceptual grouping may occur.

10.) Explain sound localization and discuss how it is achieved including what is meant by the "cone of confusion."

11.) Discuss in detail the ways in which errors of sound localization are minimized.

12.) Define the term phoneme and discuss its relevance to speech perception.

13.) Discuss in detail how each of the factors mentioned in your book are thought to strongly influence speech perception.