Final answer:
Similar brain areas are active during both auditory imagery and auditory perception, primarily within the auditory cortex. Research using brain imaging techniques such as fMRI supports this overlap in neural activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether similar brain areas are active during auditory imagery and auditory perception. Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have shown that similar areas in the auditory cortex are involved in both processes. When we engage in auditory imagery, we essentially 'hear' a sound internally without external auditory input. This internal process activates regions of the brain that are also responsible for processing real auditory sensations.
Furthermore, during auditory perception, mechanical processes activate hair cells that relay neural impulses through the auditory nerve to the brain, where they reach the auditory cortex for processing. These processes are supported by research showing that blood flow increases to these regions during auditory tasks, indicating increased neural activity and energy consumption, which suggests that a significant portion of the brain is involved in auditory functions.