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The Influence of the External and Middle Ear on Auditory Discriminations

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Book cover Auditory System

Part of the book series: Handbook of Sensory Physiology ((1534,volume 5 / 2))

Abstract

In evaluating the role of the outer ear, Hensen (1879) concluded that the pinnae are not completely useless for hearing acuity and auditory perception, but their contributions are minor. Similar statements have been made repeatedly in the past by those working in audition. Contributors to present-day editions of physiology handbooks express the same view if, indeed, they refer to the pinnae at all. Generally speaking, they are correct. But, the extent to which the outer ear does influence hearing requires elaboration. In the course of doing this, it will be seen that in some situations the outer ear’s contribution is critical for accurate auditory discrimination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Robert A. Butler

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  1. Robert A. Butler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. I. Physiologisches Institut der Universität 852 Erlangen, Universitätsstraße 17, Germany

    Wolf D. Keidel

  2. Center for Neural Sciences and Department of Psychology, Indiana University, 47401, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

    William D. Neff

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© 1975 Springer-Verlag, Berlin·Heidelberg

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Butler, R.A. (1975). The Influence of the External and Middle Ear on Auditory Discriminations. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (eds) Auditory System. Handbook of Sensory Physiology, vol 5 / 2. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65995-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65995-9_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-65997-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-65995-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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