Physics of Sound and Anatomy Flashcards
6 cards from real CAOHC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Physics of Sound and Anatomy flashcards as text
What is the decibel scale and why is it used to measure sound?
Answer: A logarithmic scale that compresses the enormous range of human hearing into manageable numbers
The decibel compresses the vast range of human hearing (from 20 micropascals to 200 Pascals) into a practical 0-140 dB scale.
Which part of the outer ear provides natural amplification of sounds in the 2,000-4,000 Hz range?
Answer: The ear canal due to its resonance properties
The ear canal acts as a resonant tube, amplifying sounds by 10-15 dB in the 2,000-4,000 Hz range due to its quarter-wavelength resonance.
What is the difference between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss?
Answer: Sensorineural involves inner ear or nerve damage; conductive involves outer or middle ear obstruction
Sensorineural hearing loss results from cochlear hair cell or auditory nerve damage, while conductive hearing loss results from outer or middle ear problems.
What type of sound wave is produced by a single frequency?
Answer: A pure tone
A pure tone consists of a single frequency producing a sinusoidal pattern, as used in audiometric testing.
How does noise-induced hearing loss typically affect the outer hair cells of the cochlea?
Answer: Excessive noise damages and destroys the stereocilia, which do not regenerate in humans
Excessive noise causes mechanical damage to stereocilia on outer hair cells, and since mammalian hair cells do not regenerate, this damage is permanent.
What is the speed of sound in air at room temperature?
Answer: Approximately 343 meters per second
Sound travels at approximately 343 m/s in air at 20 degrees Celsius. The relationship v = f x wavelength means higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths.