Auditory Acuity

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
This activity (8th activity on the page) tests learners' ability to identify things using only the sense of hearing. A blindfolded learner listens as another learner approaches him holding a ticking watch from different angles. Learners will record the distance it takes for the learner to hear the ticking sound. Learners will also examine how covering one or both of the ears affects their ability to hear. This activity page includes a link to background information about the ear and hearing.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
free per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Stop watch or ticking watch
  • Paper and pencil for recording angles and distances
  • Blindfold
  • Tool for measuring angles (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • The Brain and Nervous System
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Hearing
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
    • Geometry
      • Plane Geometry
    • Measurement
  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Sound
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • hear
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Chudler, Ph.D., Eric H.

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Eric H. Chudler, 2009