Chapter 6 Section 3: Hearing

What we hear Stimulus for sound is a wave of pressure created when an object vibrates The vibration causes molecules in a transmitting substance (usually air) to move together & apart

Auditory Experience Loudness: intensity of a pressure wave. Measured in decibels Pitch: frequency of a pressure wave. How rapidly the air vibrates

Timbre: The distinguishing quality of sound complexity of the pressure wave When many frequencies are present but not in harmony, we hear noise When many frequencies of the sound spectrum occur, they produce white noise

An Ear on the world

Soft funnel shaped outer ear is designed to collect sound waves Sound wave passes through an inch long canal to strike the ear drum Vibration is passed along to the hammer, anvil, & stirrup

Actual organ of hearing is the organ of corti

Constructing the auditory world Use our perceptual powers to organize patterns of sound & to construct a meaningful auditory world Need to know where sounds are coming from Depend on having two ears Hard to locate sounds coming from above or directly behind your head

Name that sound Sound 1 Sound 2 Sound 3 Sound 4 Sound 5 Sound 6 Applause Crumbling Cutting Paper with Scissors Hair Mousse Pad Lock Opening Sea Lion Cards Shuffling Velcro Bathtub filling up Applying soap to hands