Chapter 4: The physics and biology of audition
Sample Essay Questions
- Simple sound waves have three important features. What are they and how are they measured?
- Describe how Fourier analysis can be used to break down complex sounds into their sine wave components,
- When using Fourier theory to analyse the properties of an acoustic filter, why is it vital that the filter is linear, and what are the three criteria for linearity?
- Describe the main components of the peripheral auditory system, and how they function to transmit sound energy to the central auditory system.
- What is impedance matching, and why is it necessary?
- Is the ear a Fourier analyser?
- How is sound frequency coded in the auditory nerve?
- Explain how the ascending auditory pathway transmits neural information from the cochlea to auditory cortex.
- Which structures and processes are important for sound localisation in the auditory system?
- What is tonotopic organisation, and why is it important in the auditory system?