What Does Hearing Look Like?

This activity is based on a iPad app. If you don’t have an iPad, you can complete this activity by watching the video below. If you have an iPad, and would like to do this activity in the app, you’ll find it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hear-neuroscience/id1208547621

“Watch” the following sounds as they are playing in the app. Describe what each sound looks like, including where it shows up in the cochlea, and how it might change over the duration of the sound.

• Piano
• Bird 3
• Dog bark
• Thunder 1
• Sine wave – make sure to note what happens as the pitch changes.
• Drums
• Orchestra

Now that you have seen what some sounds “look” like in the ear, describe any patterns that you see. What similarities and differences do you see between the different sounds?

If you have an iPad, and want to play around with the app, try making the following sounds: Whistle, snap your fingers, sing a low note, sing a high note, whisper.

Adapted from an activity created by learn.genetics.utah.edu