ABSTRACT
The term frequency selectivity is used to refer to the ability of the ear to separate out the different frequency components of a sound. This spectral analysis is absolutely crucial for mammalian hearing. Chapter 4 describes the basic mechanisms underlying this ability. Chapter 5 goes into much more depth about the nature of frequency selectivity in the cochlea, including the role of the outer hair cells, and describes measurements of tuning at higher centers in the auditory system. It concludes with a discussion of behavioral measures in human listeners.
