1. Chapter 6
Section 3: Hearing

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. An Ear on the world

6. 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

7. Actual organ of hearing is the organ of corti

8. 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

9. 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