The sensation of loudness or the volume of a sound is detected by _.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The greater movement of the basilar membrane results in greater deflection of the hair cells, which then send signals to the brain indicating a louder volume of sound. Option A is incorrect because faster vibration of the basilar membrane indicates a higher frequency of sound, not necessarily a louder volume. Option B is incorrect because simply stimulating a greater number of hair cells does not necessarily indicate a louder volume of sound. Option D is incorrect because the sound energy traveling all the way to the apex of the scala vestibule with enough energy remaining to deflect hair cells is a characteristic of high amplitude sounds, not necessarily loudness.

The Sensation of Loudness or the Volume of a Sound