Transcript “Ears” - Kristen Livingston

Introduction
Images courtesy of Google
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It affects how we feel and what we know
COGNITIVE INFORMATION- info related to
mental processes of knowledge, reasoning,
memory, judgment, and perception
AFFECTIVE INFORMATION- info related to
emotion, feeling, and mood.
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Omnidirectional – it is everywhere
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Layered and simultaneous
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Attention demanding
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Comprehending or assimilating (requires
active listening)
Paired with visual aids (enhances the sound)
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Listening to old radio
dramas
Watching silent films
How music makes
you feel, even driving
in your car
How listening ignites
memory recollection
Colby’s story
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The human ear is divided into three parts:
OUTER EAR – sound waves first reach pinna (visible
part of outer ear
MIDDLE EAR- sound waves then focus through the
ear canal to the ear drum
INNER EAR- tympanic membrane is attached to
another membrane (oval window) by three small
bones (malleus, incus, and stapes) called ossicles. Let’s
call the bones hammer, anvil, and stirrup instead. 
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These little guys, the ossicles, act as a lever
changing the pressure of sound wave on the
eardrum into much greater pressure.
The tympanic membrane and awesome action of
the ossicles allow the middle ear to protect the
inner ear from bad stuff like pressure.
Bee Gees Reference;
hammer, anvil and
stirrup
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Contains semicircular canals (for balance) and snailshaped structure called the cochlea.
Cochlea is filled with fluid (itty bitty, less than a
drop) Running through the center of the cochlea is
the basilar membrane (hair cells attached to nerve
fibers composing the organ of Corti) In other words
this is the auditorium of hearing
The aforementioned fibers send electrical impulses
to the brain.
Nerve fibers have cilia attached to them which
quiver when sound approaches.
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Finish “Ears” lecture 1, start “Physics and
Psychophysics” lecture 2
Podcast LAB Thursday 1/29 in RM: 112- if you
have laptops, bring them!
Quiz Review Tuesday 2nd over lecture 1 and
lecture 2
BE working on Lab Assignment 1
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Here to help!!
Don’t over think it! Be creative!
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How many of you listen to
heavy metal?
Think about all of the sounds
that our poor ears are sensitive
to.
Most people suffer from hearing
loss than from heart disease,
cancer, multiple sclerosis, and
kidney disease combined.
For many people, there is not a
need for an increase in the level
of sound, but in the clarity.
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Temporary threshold
shift- reversible
desensitization in
hearing that disappears
Auditory fatigue- ears
shut down to protect
themselves
Tinnitus-ringing,
whistling, or buzzing in
ears from prolonged
exposure to loud
sounds
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First, sounds are transmitted to the brain
following two paths, one goes to an auditory
center for interpretation and the other goes to
the brain center where nerves are affected.
Decibels are the measurement of sound.
Quiet sounds are considered the threshold of
hearing and loud sounds are considered the
threshold of pain
Human ear secretes wax to protect drum. DO
NOT CLEAN YOUR EAR WITH A Q-TIP even
though I did so last night. It actually pushes
wax against the drum
Sound
Intensity
(db)
Ticking of a Watch
20
Whisper
30
Normal Speech
50-60
Car Traffic
70
Alarm Clock
80
Lawn Mower
95
Chain Saw
110
Jackhammer
120
Jet Engine
130
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http://www.sengpielaudio.com/TableOfSoundPressureLevels.htm
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http://www.bogen.com/support/pdfs/soundlvl.pdf
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Analytical-evaluation of sound, the
interpretation of nuances and connotations of
the sound quality in addition to the word being
spoken
Critical Listening-the evaluation of the
characteristics of the sound itself
MOST IMPORTANTLY, PAY ATTENTION!!
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“KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN”
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Individually, select four pictures that represent
“times” or “activities” from the four seasons.
(jpgs, jpegs, etc.) EX. FALL.jpeg
Record 5 foley sounds for each picture (20 secs
each)
Use a smart phone, audio recorder, OR reserve lab
time to record sounds.
Save them to AUDIO SPRING 2015 folder in lab,
where you will find an individual folder with
your name containing “LAB ASSIGNMENT 1)
Have each sound labeled
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Example: FALLsound1, FALLsound2 (wav files)
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In a Word Document, indicate what you used
to create each sound. EX.
SoundDescriptions.doc
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Save this document to your folder as well.
Due February 5th at the END of LAB- if you
don’t want to come in that day, save it to your
folder before
Failure to turn in assignment will result in a
loss of points (5 points per day).
If you have questions, I am here to help!
The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize
yourself with the equipment and to recognize
the obstacles of sound creation for production
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