Physiology and Psychology of Hearing

Learning Outcomes

Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explain the physiological basis as well as the perceptual consequences of hearing loss.
• Explain the structure and function of the principal components of the normal human auditory system
• Explain and critically appraise methods used to investigate auditory perception.
• Explain the basic acoustical, engineering, biological and psychological principles related to hearing science.
• Critically appreciate scientific literature on hearing sciences.
• Demonstrate mastery of effective self-directed learning and scientific communication

• To introduce basic acoustics required to understand the module.
• To describe the anatomy and physiology of the outer, middle and inner ear
• To understand the function of the outer, middle and inner ear based on established and emerging theory.

To understand how nonlinear feedback processes in the inner hear form the basis of normal perception

• To explain the consequences of physiological dysfunction to features of hearing loss.
• To introduce you to the domains that define the physical characteristics of sound (intensity, frequency, time, direction) and the corresponding perceptual domains (loudness, pitch, temporal characteristic, localisation/lateralisation).

To understand how hearing changes in aging individuals and the population.

• To describe the psychophysical methods used to measure the various auditory capabilities including speech tests.
• To describe the main theories related to detection and discrimination of sounds and develop an understanding of signal detection theory.

To understand the theory of auditory filters and how they form the basis of describing effects of hearing loss by temporal and frequency distortions

• To describe the consequences of the most common forms of hearing disorder in terms of auditory capabilities and speech recognition performance to enable you to evaluate the consequences for individual cases.

Teaching and learning methods

Weekly lectures and tutorials, and fortnightly mini-assignments which will form discussion during tutorials and on which you will receive feedback during tutorials.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

References. A list of references will be supplied at the beginning of the module.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External