Human Hearing

Limits, the human ear, and issues of

perception

Physical Characteristics

Frequency range: 20 Hz 20 kHz

Intensity range: 10-12 to 1 W/m2

Factor of 1000 (video)

Factor of 1012

Filtering of information
(video)

Physical characteristics

Graphics: Rossing, Moore & Wheeler, The Science of Sound, 3rd Ed.

Psychophysics:

objective and quantitative study of the

relation of physical stimuli and sensory
perceptions
Middle Ear:

Pressure fluctuations

Transformatio
n into
mechanical
and then
electrical
signals

Processing:
sorting, selection,
recognition

Structure
of the
human
ear

Important parts of the ear

Outer Ear:

Auditory canal
Ear drum

Middle ear:
Ossicles: hammer (malleus), anvil
(incus), stirrup (stapes)
Inner Ear

Cochlea
Auditory nerve

Important parts of the

Cochlea

Oval window
Scala vestibuli (filled
with fluid)
Scala timpani
Round window
Basiliar membrane
Organ of Corti
Auditory nerve

Mechanism of signal
transport

Hall, Musical Acoustics, 3rd Ed.

Lever action of ossicles

Small displacement over large area

becomes large displacement over
small area

Hearing loss

Conduction deafness: reduced mobility of

ossicles due to vibrous tissue (i. e. from
repeated otitis)
Nerve deafness: deterioration of hair cells
or nerve (also age-related presbycusis)
Can be distinguished through bone
conduction

(video)

Just noticable differences

At which frequency difference do two

tones sound different to us?
200/201 Hz
200/202 Hz
200/203 Hz

2000/2002
2000/2003
2000/2004
2000/2006
2000/2008

Hz
Hz
Hz
Hz
Hz

Simultaneous sounds

At which difference in frequency can

we hear two distinct sounds?
1000 Hz combined with

700 Hz 800 Hz 900 Hz

990 Hz 1010 Hz

980 Hz
950 Hz

1100 Hz 1200 Hz 1300 Hz

1020 Hz
1050 Hz

How are sounds resolved?

How are sounds resolved?

Critical band: region on basiliar

membrane for reception of a pure
tone
If critical bands overlap, only a single
tone is heard
The critical band is larger at low
frequencies.

The Ear and Balance

Balance and Equilibrium: Body balance is maintained by

the cooperation of the muscles and joints of the body
(proprioceptive system), the eyes (visual system), and the
labyrinth (vestibular system). These areas send their
information about equilibrium, or balance, to the brain
(cerebellar system) for coordination and perception in the
cerebral cortex. The brain obtains its blood supply from the
heart and arterial system. A problem in any of these areas,
such as arteriosclerosis or impaired vision, can cause a
disturbance of balance. The vestibular apparatus of the
inner ear provides feedback regarding the movements and
the position of the head and body in space. (video)