COMD 5070 exam 1 study guide 2025
Questions and Answers
what is science?
4 features of the scientific method - --Answer --empirical-based on data
deterministic-obeys physical laws
predictive-if you do this..then that will happen
parsimonious-use the simplest explanation possible
SLP's use of technology-why do we use it clinically? - --Answer --1.
overcome listener bias-consistent reliable measurement
2. describe severity objectively
3. track progress over time-demonstrate treatment efficacy
4. ASHA's focus on EBP
5. provide biofeedback to the client
SLP's use of technology-how can acoustics help? - --Answer --1. need to
understand the data
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,2. examine qualitatively as well as quantitatively
3. the machine makes no judgments
pitch perception vs. frequency measurement - --Answer --
frequency - --Answer --1. how frequently a waveform repeats
2. Hertz (Hz)=cycles per second
simplest sound - --Answer --pure tone
complex tones - --Answer --fundamental frequency
low frequency 10ms 220 Hz vs high frequency 880 Hz - --Answer --
pitch perception - --Answer --1. linked to frequency
2. order on a musical scale
3. subjective perception
4. cannot be measured with instruments
5. listener matches perceived pitch to that of a pure tone of known frequency
frequency difference limens (DL) - --Answer --1. smallest detectable change
in frequency
2. DLs increase with stimulus frequency
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,3. higher frequency sounds must differ more to be heard as
different in pitch
4. true for comfortable listening level
5. as intensity decreases, DLs become larger
complex tones - --Answer --1. pure tones rare in everyday life
2. complex tones have many frequencies
3. periodic sounds: a harmonic series
4. fundamental frequency (f0) often strongest
5. harmonics are integer multiples
6. human voice has f0 and harmonics
7. perceived pitch follows fundamental
8 auditory system responds to all frequencies
missing fundamental - --Answer --1. listen to a harmonic series
2. actual fundamental can be absent
3. timbre or quality is different
4. pitch still perceived as the same
5. brain processes harmonic structure
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, 6. fills in the gap by calculation/interpolation 7.cheap audio equipment - simulated
bass
8. some listeners are harder to fool
pitch perception in music - --Answer --• A or B note sounds equivalent up
or down • octave: doubling/halving of frequency
• 400 Hz base
• 800 Hz an octave up
• 200 Hz an octave down
• some note pairs blend harmoniously • some note pairs are dissonant
• harmonic frequencies match or don't
semitones - --Answer --12 semitones in one octave
• each semitone is a nonlinear step
• each step upward is bigger than the last
• about 5.9% higher frequency than the one before it • no two semitones are
physically identical (Hz) • but semitones sound equal in step size
intensity - --Answer --• amplitude or 'size' of a sound • lay term: volume
level
• intensity measured in dB
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 4
Questions and Answers
what is science?
4 features of the scientific method - --Answer --empirical-based on data
deterministic-obeys physical laws
predictive-if you do this..then that will happen
parsimonious-use the simplest explanation possible
SLP's use of technology-why do we use it clinically? - --Answer --1.
overcome listener bias-consistent reliable measurement
2. describe severity objectively
3. track progress over time-demonstrate treatment efficacy
4. ASHA's focus on EBP
5. provide biofeedback to the client
SLP's use of technology-how can acoustics help? - --Answer --1. need to
understand the data
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 1
,2. examine qualitatively as well as quantitatively
3. the machine makes no judgments
pitch perception vs. frequency measurement - --Answer --
frequency - --Answer --1. how frequently a waveform repeats
2. Hertz (Hz)=cycles per second
simplest sound - --Answer --pure tone
complex tones - --Answer --fundamental frequency
low frequency 10ms 220 Hz vs high frequency 880 Hz - --Answer --
pitch perception - --Answer --1. linked to frequency
2. order on a musical scale
3. subjective perception
4. cannot be measured with instruments
5. listener matches perceived pitch to that of a pure tone of known frequency
frequency difference limens (DL) - --Answer --1. smallest detectable change
in frequency
2. DLs increase with stimulus frequency
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 2
,3. higher frequency sounds must differ more to be heard as
different in pitch
4. true for comfortable listening level
5. as intensity decreases, DLs become larger
complex tones - --Answer --1. pure tones rare in everyday life
2. complex tones have many frequencies
3. periodic sounds: a harmonic series
4. fundamental frequency (f0) often strongest
5. harmonics are integer multiples
6. human voice has f0 and harmonics
7. perceived pitch follows fundamental
8 auditory system responds to all frequencies
missing fundamental - --Answer --1. listen to a harmonic series
2. actual fundamental can be absent
3. timbre or quality is different
4. pitch still perceived as the same
5. brain processes harmonic structure
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 3
, 6. fills in the gap by calculation/interpolation 7.cheap audio equipment - simulated
bass
8. some listeners are harder to fool
pitch perception in music - --Answer --• A or B note sounds equivalent up
or down • octave: doubling/halving of frequency
• 400 Hz base
• 800 Hz an octave up
• 200 Hz an octave down
• some note pairs blend harmoniously • some note pairs are dissonant
• harmonic frequencies match or don't
semitones - --Answer --12 semitones in one octave
• each semitone is a nonlinear step
• each step upward is bigger than the last
• about 5.9% higher frequency than the one before it • no two semitones are
physically identical (Hz) • but semitones sound equal in step size
intensity - --Answer --• amplitude or 'size' of a sound • lay term: volume
level
• intensity measured in dB
....COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...TRUSTED & VERIFIED 4
