PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Sound Localization, Auditory Cortex, Eardrum
Document Summary
Sound & the structure of the ear: function of hearing: extracting some sort of meaning from sound waves, sound. Function of human ear: to detect sound waves and to transform that information into neural signals. Sound waves: changes in mechanical pressure transmitted through solids, liquids, and gases. Frequency: wavelength and measured in hertz (hz: number of cycles a sound wave travels per second, pitch: perceptual experience of sound wave frequencies. Humans can detect sounds in frequency from 20 20 000 hz. We begin to feel pain at about 125 db. Regular exposure to sound over 100 db for more than a minute risks permanent hearing loss. No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure is recommended for sounds between 90-100 db. 85 db is the level at which hearing damage (after 8 hours) begins. Annoying; interferes with conversation; constant exposure may cause damage.
