Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The frequency theory of hearing states that the perception of pitch is determined by the frequency at which hair cells in the cochlea vibrate.
Related terms
Place theory: This theory suggests that different pitches are perceived based on the specific location along the basilar membrane where hair cells vibrate.
Volley principle: According to this principle, when individual neurons fire in rapid succession but not at a high enough rate to match the frequency being heard, they work together and create a combined neural response.
Auditory nerve: It is a bundle of nerve fibers that carries electrical signals from the cochlea to the brain for processing sound information.