COMD 5070 exam 1 Complete Questions
And Solutions
4 features of the scientific method CORRECT ANSWERS 1) Science is empirical- we
collect data and interpret it (based on data)
2) Science is Deterministic - Things are not random. Because of cause and effect, we
can draw generalizations from the data that we have and extrapolate
3) Science is predictive - if you do this, then that will happen.
4) Science is parsimonious - use the simplest explanation possible, try to describe
things in economical terms so we can understand it. Use the simplest terms possible,
but no simpler.
Why do SLPs use technology CORRECT ANSWERS 1) Overcome listener bias -
computer isn't influenced by what it has heard before. It is a consistent, reliable
measure.
2) Describe severity objectively - standardizes measures of speech
3) Track progress over time - helps demonstrate treatment efficacy
4) Helps to comply with ASHA's focus on EBP - provides hard data to measure rather
than just gut feelings about progress based on experience.
5) Biofeedback- computer display in real time - ex: visipitch shows intonations on screen
in real time, shows them progress as they speak, better than playing back a recording.
How can acoustics help? CORRECT ANSWERS acoustics can tell us a lot about what
is going on that can't be seen. Acoustics is a way of using quantitative measures to to
describe a physical phenomenon, rather than relying on our human impressions
Frequency CORRECT ANSWERS how frequently a waveform repeats. Measured in Hz
(cycles per second). Within the same window length, a higher frequency sound wave
will show more repetitions than a lower frequency sound wave
simplest sound CORRECT ANSWERS pure tone (sine wave)
Pitch CORRECT ANSWERS the subjective measure of frequency; you cannot measure
pitch with an instrument. You can have people match pitch perception to frequencies.
Intensity CORRECT ANSWERS amplitude or size of a sound.Adjusting volume, is
adjusting the physical intensity of sound.
Why use a logarithmic scale for intensity? CORRECT ANSWERS This is necessary
because the highest amplitude sound we can perceive is 1 trillion times the softest
sound we can perceive (120 dB).
, Loudness CORRECT ANSWERS Perceptual characteristic of sound. Listener can judge
loudness, there is no equipment that can measure loudness. Human reaction to the
amplitude of a sound. Can be measured with a psycho-physical scale.
Greatest sensitivity to loudness is between CORRECT ANSWERS 1,000 - 5,000 Hz,
threshold is much higher at very low or very high frequencies
Why do audiometers use HL and not SPL? CORRECT ANSWERS to compensate for
known differences in human hearing sensitivity.
Equal loudness contours CORRECT ANSWERS Created by presenting a known
frequency (1,000 Hz) and then other tones are played and the listener has to adjust the
loudness until it sounds the same as the 1,000 Hz tone
In order to perceive low amplitude sounds at low frequency as the same loudness as
higher frequency sounds.... CORRECT ANSWERS have to be adjusted up a lot for
them to be perceived as the same loudness as the original sound
at high intensity, CORRECT ANSWERS the sounds seem to be equal in loudness to
intensity.
general rule is that a 6-10 dB increase CORRECT ANSWERS is generally perceived as
double as loud
Frequency Difference limen CORRECT ANSWERS smallest change in frequency that is
detectable by a listener. As frequency increases, the DL becomes much greater
Intensity Difference limen CORRECT ANSWERS as intensity decreases, Dls become
larger
How does duration influence perception of loudness? CORRECT ANSWERS The
longer the sound, the more audible it becomes. The more sound energy ( intensity or
frequency, the more audible it becomes) Kind of like baking a cake; increase the temp,
decrease the time to a certain point.
When a fundamental is deleted: CORRECT ANSWERS the brain compensates
because in a harmonic series, the frequencies are separated at even intervals and your
brain can fill in the missing portion. There is a qualitative difference but most people
perceive the notes as being the same as with the fundamental frequency by filling in the
missing fundamental.
how many semitones in one octave CORRECT ANSWERS 12. each semitone is a non-
linear step in terms of # of Hz from one semitone to the next. However, they all sound
equal to us.
And Solutions
4 features of the scientific method CORRECT ANSWERS 1) Science is empirical- we
collect data and interpret it (based on data)
2) Science is Deterministic - Things are not random. Because of cause and effect, we
can draw generalizations from the data that we have and extrapolate
3) Science is predictive - if you do this, then that will happen.
4) Science is parsimonious - use the simplest explanation possible, try to describe
things in economical terms so we can understand it. Use the simplest terms possible,
but no simpler.
Why do SLPs use technology CORRECT ANSWERS 1) Overcome listener bias -
computer isn't influenced by what it has heard before. It is a consistent, reliable
measure.
2) Describe severity objectively - standardizes measures of speech
3) Track progress over time - helps demonstrate treatment efficacy
4) Helps to comply with ASHA's focus on EBP - provides hard data to measure rather
than just gut feelings about progress based on experience.
5) Biofeedback- computer display in real time - ex: visipitch shows intonations on screen
in real time, shows them progress as they speak, better than playing back a recording.
How can acoustics help? CORRECT ANSWERS acoustics can tell us a lot about what
is going on that can't be seen. Acoustics is a way of using quantitative measures to to
describe a physical phenomenon, rather than relying on our human impressions
Frequency CORRECT ANSWERS how frequently a waveform repeats. Measured in Hz
(cycles per second). Within the same window length, a higher frequency sound wave
will show more repetitions than a lower frequency sound wave
simplest sound CORRECT ANSWERS pure tone (sine wave)
Pitch CORRECT ANSWERS the subjective measure of frequency; you cannot measure
pitch with an instrument. You can have people match pitch perception to frequencies.
Intensity CORRECT ANSWERS amplitude or size of a sound.Adjusting volume, is
adjusting the physical intensity of sound.
Why use a logarithmic scale for intensity? CORRECT ANSWERS This is necessary
because the highest amplitude sound we can perceive is 1 trillion times the softest
sound we can perceive (120 dB).
, Loudness CORRECT ANSWERS Perceptual characteristic of sound. Listener can judge
loudness, there is no equipment that can measure loudness. Human reaction to the
amplitude of a sound. Can be measured with a psycho-physical scale.
Greatest sensitivity to loudness is between CORRECT ANSWERS 1,000 - 5,000 Hz,
threshold is much higher at very low or very high frequencies
Why do audiometers use HL and not SPL? CORRECT ANSWERS to compensate for
known differences in human hearing sensitivity.
Equal loudness contours CORRECT ANSWERS Created by presenting a known
frequency (1,000 Hz) and then other tones are played and the listener has to adjust the
loudness until it sounds the same as the 1,000 Hz tone
In order to perceive low amplitude sounds at low frequency as the same loudness as
higher frequency sounds.... CORRECT ANSWERS have to be adjusted up a lot for
them to be perceived as the same loudness as the original sound
at high intensity, CORRECT ANSWERS the sounds seem to be equal in loudness to
intensity.
general rule is that a 6-10 dB increase CORRECT ANSWERS is generally perceived as
double as loud
Frequency Difference limen CORRECT ANSWERS smallest change in frequency that is
detectable by a listener. As frequency increases, the DL becomes much greater
Intensity Difference limen CORRECT ANSWERS as intensity decreases, Dls become
larger
How does duration influence perception of loudness? CORRECT ANSWERS The
longer the sound, the more audible it becomes. The more sound energy ( intensity or
frequency, the more audible it becomes) Kind of like baking a cake; increase the temp,
decrease the time to a certain point.
When a fundamental is deleted: CORRECT ANSWERS the brain compensates
because in a harmonic series, the frequencies are separated at even intervals and your
brain can fill in the missing portion. There is a qualitative difference but most people
perceive the notes as being the same as with the fundamental frequency by filling in the
missing fundamental.
how many semitones in one octave CORRECT ANSWERS 12. each semitone is a non-
linear step in terms of # of Hz from one semitone to the next. However, they all sound
equal to us.
