COMD 5070 Exam 1 ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
4 features of the scientific method - CORRECT ANSWER - 1) Science is empirical- we
collect data and interpret it (based on data)
2) Science is Deterministic - Things are not random. Because of cause and effect, we can draw
generalizations from the data that we have and extrapolate
3) Science is predictive - if you do this, then that will happen.
4) Science is parsimonious - use the simplest explanation possible, try to describe things in
economical terms so we can understand it. Use the simplest terms possible, but no simpler.
Why do SLPs use technology - CORRECT ANSWER - 1) Overcome listener bias -
computer isn't influenced by what it has heard before. It is a consistent, reliable measure.
2) Describe severity objectively - standardizes measures of speech
3) Track progress over time - helps demonstrate treatment efficacy
4) Helps to comply with ASHA's focus on EBP - provides hard data to measure rather than just
gut feelings about progress based on experience.
5) Biofeedback- computer display in real time - ex: visipitch shows intonations on screen in real
time, shows them progress as they speak, better than playing back a recording.
How can acoustics help? - CORRECT ANSWER - acoustics can tell us a lot about what is
going on that can't be seen. Acoustics is a way of using quantitative measures to to describe a
physical phenomenon, rather than relying on our human impressions
Frequency - CORRECT ANSWER - how frequently a waveform repeats. Measured in Hz
(cycles per second). Within the same window length, a higher frequency sound wave will show
more repetitions than a lower frequency sound wave
simplest sound - CORRECT ANSWER - pure tone (sine wave)
, Pitch - CORRECT ANSWER - the subjective measure of frequency; you cannot measure
pitch with an instrument. You can have people match pitch perception to frequencies.
Intensity - CORRECT ANSWER - amplitude or size of a sound.Adjusting volume, is
adjusting the physical intensity of sound.
Why use a logarithmic scale for intensity? - CORRECT ANSWER - This is necessary
because the highest amplitude sound we can perceive is 1 trillion times the softest sound we can
perceive (120 dB).
Loudness - CORRECT ANSWER - Perceptual characteristic of sound. Listener can judge
loudness, there is no equipment that can measure loudness. Human reaction to the amplitude of a
sound. Can be measured with a psycho-physical scale.
Greatest sensitivity to loudness is between - CORRECT ANSWER - 1,000 - 5,000 Hz,
threshold is much higher at very low or very high frequencies
Why do audiometers use HL and not SPL? - CORRECT ANSWER - to compensate for
known differences in human hearing sensitivity.
Equal loudness contours - CORRECT ANSWER - Created by presenting a known
frequency (1,000 Hz) and then other tones are played and the listener has to adjust the loudness
until it sounds the same as the 1,000 Hz tone
In order to perceive low amplitude sounds at low frequency as the same loudness as higher
frequency sounds.... - CORRECT ANSWER - have to be adjusted up a lot for them to be
perceived as the same loudness as the original sound
at high intensity, - CORRECT ANSWER - the sounds seem to be equal in loudness to
intensity.
Questions and CORRECT Answers
4 features of the scientific method - CORRECT ANSWER - 1) Science is empirical- we
collect data and interpret it (based on data)
2) Science is Deterministic - Things are not random. Because of cause and effect, we can draw
generalizations from the data that we have and extrapolate
3) Science is predictive - if you do this, then that will happen.
4) Science is parsimonious - use the simplest explanation possible, try to describe things in
economical terms so we can understand it. Use the simplest terms possible, but no simpler.
Why do SLPs use technology - CORRECT ANSWER - 1) Overcome listener bias -
computer isn't influenced by what it has heard before. It is a consistent, reliable measure.
2) Describe severity objectively - standardizes measures of speech
3) Track progress over time - helps demonstrate treatment efficacy
4) Helps to comply with ASHA's focus on EBP - provides hard data to measure rather than just
gut feelings about progress based on experience.
5) Biofeedback- computer display in real time - ex: visipitch shows intonations on screen in real
time, shows them progress as they speak, better than playing back a recording.
How can acoustics help? - CORRECT ANSWER - acoustics can tell us a lot about what is
going on that can't be seen. Acoustics is a way of using quantitative measures to to describe a
physical phenomenon, rather than relying on our human impressions
Frequency - CORRECT ANSWER - how frequently a waveform repeats. Measured in Hz
(cycles per second). Within the same window length, a higher frequency sound wave will show
more repetitions than a lower frequency sound wave
simplest sound - CORRECT ANSWER - pure tone (sine wave)
, Pitch - CORRECT ANSWER - the subjective measure of frequency; you cannot measure
pitch with an instrument. You can have people match pitch perception to frequencies.
Intensity - CORRECT ANSWER - amplitude or size of a sound.Adjusting volume, is
adjusting the physical intensity of sound.
Why use a logarithmic scale for intensity? - CORRECT ANSWER - This is necessary
because the highest amplitude sound we can perceive is 1 trillion times the softest sound we can
perceive (120 dB).
Loudness - CORRECT ANSWER - Perceptual characteristic of sound. Listener can judge
loudness, there is no equipment that can measure loudness. Human reaction to the amplitude of a
sound. Can be measured with a psycho-physical scale.
Greatest sensitivity to loudness is between - CORRECT ANSWER - 1,000 - 5,000 Hz,
threshold is much higher at very low or very high frequencies
Why do audiometers use HL and not SPL? - CORRECT ANSWER - to compensate for
known differences in human hearing sensitivity.
Equal loudness contours - CORRECT ANSWER - Created by presenting a known
frequency (1,000 Hz) and then other tones are played and the listener has to adjust the loudness
until it sounds the same as the 1,000 Hz tone
In order to perceive low amplitude sounds at low frequency as the same loudness as higher
frequency sounds.... - CORRECT ANSWER - have to be adjusted up a lot for them to be
perceived as the same loudness as the original sound
at high intensity, - CORRECT ANSWER - the sounds seem to be equal in loudness to
intensity.
