You are observing sound waves being produced on the cochlea and notice that an abrupt wave peaks close to the oval window. According to von Bekesy and the place theory of auditory perception, you interpret this event as a

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the place theory of auditory perception, high frequency sounds produce peak vibrations close to the oval window of the cochlea. This theory suggests that different parts of the cochlea are activated by different frequencies of sound, with higher frequencies peaking closer to the base (near the oval window) and lower frequencies peaking further along the cochlea.

You Are Observing Sound Waves Being Produced on the Cochlea