Exam 2026/2027
The outer ear can be viewed predominantly as - ANSWER collector of sound
The frequency region that is most enhanced by the outer ear is - ANSWER 1500 Hz to
8,000 Hz
The formula for pressure is: - ANSWER P=F/A
The middle ear provides an impedance matching function by - ANSWER reducing the
area over which the existing force is exerted
The oval window has an effective area of approximately - ANSWER 3.2 mm2
The acoustical gain arising from the area function is approximately - ANSWER 17:1 & 25
dB
The middle ear lever advantage provides nearly ______ dB of gain to the signal. -
ANSWER 2
which of the following statements accurately reflects the function of the vestibular
mechanism? - ANSWER as your head rotates, the fluid in the semicircular canals tends
to remain in the same location
the term "spectral analysis" refers to: - ANSWER analysis of the frequency components
of sound
high frequency sounds are processed: - ANSWER at the base
The point of maximal perturbation of the basilar membrane arising from the traveling
wave: - ANSWER determines the hair cells that will be maximally stimulated to fire
the basilar membrane - ANSWER is flaccid at the apex
The area benefit of the middle ear system refers to the relationship between the area of
the _________________________ and the oval window. - ANSWER tympanic membrane
The area benefit of the middle ear system provides an increase of about ___________ dB.
- ANSWER 25
The tensor tympani muscle exerts a restraining force upon the ___________________. -
ANSWER malleus
, Resistance to the flow of energy is termed_________________________. - ANSWER
impendance
Low frequency sounds are processed at the _________________________ end of the
cochlea. - ANSWER apical
The basilar membrane (increases/decreases) _________________________ in width from
base to apex. - ANSWER increases
The cilia of the inner hair cells are embedded in the _________________________. -
ANSWER tectorial membrane
The endocochlear potential is approximately _________________________ mV - ANSWER
80
The intracellular resting potential is about _________________________ mV. - ANSWER 150
The _________________________ potential is a sustained, direct current (DC) shift in the
endocochlear potential that occurs upon stimulation of the organ of Corti by sound. -
ANSWER summating
Low spontaneous rate neurons have (low/high) _________________________ thresholds of
stimulation. - ANSWER high
The (broader/sharper) _________________________ the tuning curve of an VIII nerve fiber
is, the greater is the frequency specificity of the basilar membrane. - ANSWER sharper
_________________________ refers to the quality of a neuron wherein it responds to the
period of the stimulus. - ANSWER phase-locking
When the crossed-olivocochlear and uncrossed-olivocochlear bundles are stimulated,
the firing rate of neurons innervated by them is (increased/reduced)
_________________________ dramatically. - ANSWER reduced
The primary brainstem site for processing localization of sound in space is
_________________________. - ANSWER superior olivary complex
High frequency sounds are localized by the superior olivary complex by means of the
interaural _________________________ difference. - ANSWER intensity
The maximum audible frequency for humans is considered to be approximately
_________________________ Hz. - ANSWER 20,000
The area benefit of the middle ear transformer is approximately _________________ dB -
ANSWER 25
This is a function of the pinna. - ANSWER localization