The Sense Of Hearing

by Plack; Christopher J.

• ISBN13: 9780805848847
• ISBN10: 0805848843
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2005-05-13
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

The Sense of Hearingis a truly accessible introduction to auditory perception that is intended for students approaching the subject for the first time, and as a foundation for more advanced study. In clear and authoritative prose, the fundamental aspects of hearing are addressed. The reader is introduced to the nature of sound and the spectrum, and the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system. Basic auditory processes including frequency selectivity, loudness and pitch perception, temporal resolution, and sound localization are explained. The reader is led to an understanding of the remarkable abilities of the auditory system in a systematic and coherent way. In the final chapters, it is shown how complex processes, such as perceptual organization and speech perception, are dependent on the initial analysis that occurs when sounds enter the ear. The text benefits from 139 original illustrations, including uncluttered diagrams that illuminate auditory mechanisms. An extensive glossary provides definitions of technical terms. The emphasis is on explanation and clarity of style throughout, and the book will be an essential resource for students and educators involved in this sometimes challenging field.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(5)
Why Study Hearing?	1	(1)
How Is Hearing Investigated?	2	(2)
About This Book	4	(2)
The Nature of Sound	6	(27)
What Is Sound?	6	(4)
A Tone for Your Sins	10	(7)
The Spectrum	17	(5)
Complex Tones and Noise	22	(6)
Modulated Waveforms	28	(3)
Summary	31	(1)
Reading	32	(1)
Production, Propagation, and Processing	33	(29)
Sound Sources and Resonance	33	(9)
Propagation	42	(4)
Signal Processing	46	(11)
Digital Signals	57	(2)
Summary	59	(2)
Reading	61	(1)
A Journey Through the Auditory System	62	(26)
From Air to Ear	63	(2)
The Cochlea	65	(7)
Transduction	72	(3)
The Auditory Nerve	75	(7)
From Ear to Brain	82	(3)
Summary	85	(2)
Reading	87	(1)
Frequency Selectivity	88	(25)
The Importance of Frequency Selectivity	88	(2)
Frequency Selectivity on the Basilar Membrane	90	(9)
Neural Frequency Selectivity	99	(4)
Psychophysical Measurements	103	(7)
Summary	110	(2)
Reading	112	(1)
Loudness and Intensity Coding	113	(19)
The Dynamic Range of Hearing	113	(2)
Loudness	115	(5)
How Is Intensity Represented in the Auditory System?	120	(7)
Comparisons Across Frequency and Across Time	127	(3)
Summary	130	(1)
Reading	131	(1)
Pitch and Periodicity Coding	132	(20)
Pitch	133	(2)
How Is Periodicity Represented?	135	(6)
How Is Periodicity Extracted?	141	(9)
Summary	150	(1)
Reading	151	(1)
Hearing Over Time	152	(21)
Temporal Resolution	152	(9)
The Perception of Modulation	161	(6)
Combining Information Over Time	167	(4)
Summary	171	(1)
Reading	172	(1)
Spatial Hearing	173	(20)
Using Two Ears	174	(10)
Escape From the Cone of Confusion	184	(2)
Judging Distance	186	(1)
Reflections and the Perception of Space	187	(4)
Summary	191	(1)
Reading	192	(1)
The Auditory Scene	193	(22)
Principles of Perceptual Organization	195	(1)
Simultaneous Grouping	196	(6)
Sequential Grouping	202	(10)
Summary	212	(1)
Reading	213	(2)
Speech	215	(20)
Speech Production	216	(5)
Problems with the Speech Signal	221	(3)
Speech Perception	224	(8)
Summary	232	(2)
Reading	234	(1)
Concluding Remarks	235	(6)
In Praise of Diversity	235	(1)
What We Know	236	(2)
What We Don't Know	238	(3)
Glossary	241	(10)
References	251	(8)
Index	259