COMD 5070 exam 1 With Complete Solution
4 features of the scientific method - 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 - 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? - 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 - 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 - ANSWER-pure tone (sine wave)
Pitch - ANSWER-the subjective measure of frequency; you cannot measure pitch with
an instrument. You can have people match pitch perception to frequencies.
Intensity - ANSWER-amplitude or size of a sound.Adjusting volume, is adjusting the
physical intensity of sound.
Why use a logarithmic scale for intensity? - 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 - 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 - 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? - ANSWER-to compensate for known
differences in human hearing sensitivity.
Equal loudness contours - 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.... - ANSWER-have to be adjusted up a lot for them to be
perceived as the same loudness as the original sound
at high intensity, - ANSWER-the sounds seem to be equal in loudness to intensity.
general rule is that a 6-10 dB increase - ANSWER-is generally perceived as double as
loud
Frequency Difference limen - ANSWER-smallest change in frequency that is detectable
by a listener. As frequency increases, the DL becomes much greater
Intensity Difference limen - ANSWER-as intensity decreases, Dls become larger
How does duration influence perception of loudness? - ANSWER-The longer the sound,
the more audible it becomes. The more sound energy ( intensity or frequency, the more
audible it becomes) Kind of like baking a cake; increase the temp, decrease the time to
a certain point.
When a fundamental is deleted: - ANSWER-the brain compensates because in a
harmonic series, the frequencies are separated at even intervals and your brain can fill
in the missing portion. There is a qualitative difference but most people perceive the
notes as being the same as with the fundamental frequency by filling in the missing
fundamental.
how many semitones in one octave - ANSWER-12. each semitone is a non-linear step
in terms of # of Hz from one semitone to the next. However, they all sound equal to us.
Octave - ANSWER-a doubling or halving of the frequency. Up one octave, you double,
down one octave, you half the frequency.
A person's ability to go from soft to loud varies depending : - ANSWER-On pitch
VRP - ANSWER-measures dynamic range, from lowest to highest intensity across a
number of intensities
4 features of the scientific method - 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 - 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? - 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 - 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 - ANSWER-pure tone (sine wave)
Pitch - ANSWER-the subjective measure of frequency; you cannot measure pitch with
an instrument. You can have people match pitch perception to frequencies.
Intensity - ANSWER-amplitude or size of a sound.Adjusting volume, is adjusting the
physical intensity of sound.
Why use a logarithmic scale for intensity? - 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 - 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 - 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? - ANSWER-to compensate for known
differences in human hearing sensitivity.
Equal loudness contours - 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.... - ANSWER-have to be adjusted up a lot for them to be
perceived as the same loudness as the original sound
at high intensity, - ANSWER-the sounds seem to be equal in loudness to intensity.
general rule is that a 6-10 dB increase - ANSWER-is generally perceived as double as
loud
Frequency Difference limen - ANSWER-smallest change in frequency that is detectable
by a listener. As frequency increases, the DL becomes much greater
Intensity Difference limen - ANSWER-as intensity decreases, Dls become larger
How does duration influence perception of loudness? - ANSWER-The longer the sound,
the more audible it becomes. The more sound energy ( intensity or frequency, the more
audible it becomes) Kind of like baking a cake; increase the temp, decrease the time to
a certain point.
When a fundamental is deleted: - ANSWER-the brain compensates because in a
harmonic series, the frequencies are separated at even intervals and your brain can fill
in the missing portion. There is a qualitative difference but most people perceive the
notes as being the same as with the fundamental frequency by filling in the missing
fundamental.
how many semitones in one octave - ANSWER-12. each semitone is a non-linear step
in terms of # of Hz from one semitone to the next. However, they all sound equal to us.
Octave - ANSWER-a doubling or halving of the frequency. Up one octave, you double,
down one octave, you half the frequency.
A person's ability to go from soft to loud varies depending : - ANSWER-On pitch
VRP - ANSWER-measures dynamic range, from lowest to highest intensity across a
number of intensities
