Chapter 10 Study Guide
questions and answers
Explain why we are better at localizing objects with our
eyes than our ears. - answer There is a map of space on
our retinas and there is not as good of a map of space in
our auditory system (so we are not able to localize sounds
as well) because the sound can only enter in one of two
places
EX: Like when you try to see which smoke alarm is
beeping in your room
Why do we turn our heads when we hear something? (also
give #s) - answer Turning our head helps us localize
sounds (you must turn your head directly to the room of
the beeping smoke alarm to be able to tell which room the
beeping is coming from).
0 is directly out in front, 180 is directly behind. +90 is
directly to right, -90 is directly to the left.
List the two major sources of information used by our
auditory system to localize sounds in space. - answer
Interaural time differences (ITDs)
Interaural level differences (ILDs)
, How does ITDs vary with location (relative to the hearer)
and frequency? Give example - answer The differences in
time between the sound arriving at one ear compared to
the other with those sounds traveling relatively quickly.
EX: Sounds that are closer to the hearer will arrive at the
closer ear first, creating a time difference that can be used
to determine the sound's location.
How does ILDs vary with location (relative to the hearer)
and frequency? Give example - answer The difference in
volume/amplitude between the sound arriving at the near
ear versus the far ear.
EX: Sounds that are closer to one ear will be louder in that
ear, providing a cue to the sound's location.
ILD is helpful but not as much as ITD.
The interneuronal time and level differences are maximal
and non existent for - answer Maximal at +/- 90 (aka to
the direct right and direct left)
Non existent at 0 and 180 (directly in front and behind)
The neurophysiology involved with processing ITDs -
answer 1. Computed by medial superior olives. First place
we see bineural input (input from both ears) onto the
same neurons (coming together)
questions and answers
Explain why we are better at localizing objects with our
eyes than our ears. - answer There is a map of space on
our retinas and there is not as good of a map of space in
our auditory system (so we are not able to localize sounds
as well) because the sound can only enter in one of two
places
EX: Like when you try to see which smoke alarm is
beeping in your room
Why do we turn our heads when we hear something? (also
give #s) - answer Turning our head helps us localize
sounds (you must turn your head directly to the room of
the beeping smoke alarm to be able to tell which room the
beeping is coming from).
0 is directly out in front, 180 is directly behind. +90 is
directly to right, -90 is directly to the left.
List the two major sources of information used by our
auditory system to localize sounds in space. - answer
Interaural time differences (ITDs)
Interaural level differences (ILDs)
, How does ITDs vary with location (relative to the hearer)
and frequency? Give example - answer The differences in
time between the sound arriving at one ear compared to
the other with those sounds traveling relatively quickly.
EX: Sounds that are closer to the hearer will arrive at the
closer ear first, creating a time difference that can be used
to determine the sound's location.
How does ILDs vary with location (relative to the hearer)
and frequency? Give example - answer The difference in
volume/amplitude between the sound arriving at the near
ear versus the far ear.
EX: Sounds that are closer to one ear will be louder in that
ear, providing a cue to the sound's location.
ILD is helpful but not as much as ITD.
The interneuronal time and level differences are maximal
and non existent for - answer Maximal at +/- 90 (aka to
the direct right and direct left)
Non existent at 0 and 180 (directly in front and behind)
The neurophysiology involved with processing ITDs -
answer 1. Computed by medial superior olives. First place
we see bineural input (input from both ears) onto the
same neurons (coming together)
