Overview

This major new textbook is written for undergraduate students in audiology and speech-language pathology and for graduate students beginning an AuD program who may not have a previous background in the subject. It is also an excellent resource for any professional who works with audiologists or patients with hearing loss. Readers at all levels will find the material challenging yet understandable.

Extremely well-written, the book flows smoothly and logically. Difficult concepts are well supported by figures and tables for ease of learning. Each chapter is prefaced by a list of learner outcomes and punctuated by summaries (synopses) which can be found on the easily identifiable grey pages. The synopses include bulleted highlights for review or for a “quick read” of the entire book. At the end of each chapter there is a supplemental topic that can be used for expanded applications. The book also includes references to the most current guidelines from the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Audiograms and calibration values are based on the newest standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI, 2004).

The author, who has taught an introduction to audiology course for 20 years, has truly designed this text with the student in mind. Based on his experience, he has produced a balanced coverage of the subject that is consistent with the material necessary for an introductory course. Chapters cover hearing science, diagnostic procedures, an introduction to hearing aids, and extensive coverage of anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vestibular systems. This book will give the reader the tools needed to have an understanding and appreciation of the auditory system, to be able to interpret and understand basic hearing tests, and to be able to apply this knowledge to their future education or clinical practices. It is designed to cover the content of both two-course sequences (Hearing Science and Principles of Audiology) as well as combined courses - providing a level of consistency in presentation.

View Sample Pages

 

Review

• Linda Jacobs-Condit, AuD, CCC-A (George Washington University), Doody's Review Service, (2008):
  "On the one hand, the book is specifically intended for readers with little or no background in audiology. On the other hand, it provides a comprehensive coverage of hearing science and clinical audiology. The book meets its objectives, flowing well from chapter-to-chapter and presenting foundational information that is a good framework for learning about audiology."

Audience

Primary Subject: Audiology / General
Audience Level: Professional/Textbook - Desk Copy

• PART I FUNDAMENTALS OF HEARING SCIENCE
  • 1. Anatomy of the Auditory and Vestibular Systems
    Orientation to the Structures and Neural Systems
    Outer Ear
    Middle Ear
    Synopsis 1–1
    Inner Ear
    Synopsis 1–2
    Eighth Cranial Nerve
    Central Auditory Pathway
    Synopsis 1–3
    Supplemental Topic: Vestibular Anatomy and Neural Pathways
    References
  • 2. Properties of Sound
    Simple Vibrations and Sound Transmission
    Frequency
    Phase
    Amplitude
    Synopsis 2–1
    Intensity and Pressure
    Decibels
    Synopsis 2–2
    Audibility by Frequency
    Wavelength
    Complex Sounds
    Filtering
    Synopsis 2–3
    Supplemental Topic: Psychoacoustics
    References
  • 3. Functions of the Auditory and Vestibular Systems
    Air-to-Fluid Impedance Mismatch
    Functions of the Outer Ear
    Functions of the Middle Ear
    Synopsis 3–1
    Functions of the Inner Ear
    Synopsis 3–2
    Tuning Curves
    Role of the Outer Hair Cells
    Frequency Coding
    Intensity Coding
    Synopsis 3–3
    Supplemental Topic: Vestibular System Function
    References
• PART II: CLINICAL AUDIOLOGY
  • 4. Pure-Tone Audiometry
    The Audiometer
    Transducers
    Air Conduction vs. Bone Conduction
    The Test Environment
    Synopsis 4–1
    Procedures for Obtaining Pure-Tone Thresholds
    Examples of How to Establish Thresholds
    Variables Influencing Thresholds
    Techniques for Infants and Toddlers
    Synopsis 4–2
    Supplemental Topic: Tuning Fork Tests
    References
  • 5. Audiogram Interpretation
    Decibels Hearing Level (dB HL)
    Documentation of Thresholds
    Recognizing the Need for Masking
    Synopsis 5–1
    Describing Audiograms
    Additional Factors to Consider
    Synopsis 5–2
    Supplemental Topic: Masking Procedures
    References
  • 6. Speech Audiometry
    Speech Testing Equipment and Calibration
    Speech Threshold Measures
    Synopsis 6–1
    Speech Recognition
    Most Comfortable and Uncomfortable Loudness Levels
    Supra-Threshold Speech Recognition Testing
    Synopsis 6–2
    Interpretation of WRS Measures
    Speech-in-Noise Tests
    Variations with Young Children or Difficult to Test
    Synopsis 6–3
    Supplemental Topic: How to Mask for Speech
    References
  • 7. Physiological Measures
    Immittance
    Tympanometry
    Synopsis 7–1
    Acoustic Reflex Thresholds
    Acoustic Reflex Decay
    Synopsis 7–2
    Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)
    Auditory Brainstem Responses
    Synopsis 7–3
    Supplemental Topic: Advanced Immittance
    References
  • 8. Selected Disorders of the Auditory System
    Describing Auditory Disorders
    Outer Ear Disorders
    Synopsis 8–1
    Middle Ear Disorders
    Synopsis 8–2
    Cochlear Disorders
    Neural Disorders
    Central Auditory Disorders
    Nonorganic (Functional) Hearing Loss
    Synopsis 8–3
    Supplemental Topic: Tinnitus
    References
  • 9. Hearing Aids by H. Gustav Mueller and Earl E. Johnson
    Historical Perspective
    Hearing Aid Market Trends
    Basic Hearing Aid Components and Technology
    Synopsis 9–1
    Basic Hearing Aid Styles
    Specialized Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants
    Synopsis 9–2
    Hearing Aid Candidacy
    Fitting Strategies
    Hearing Aid Programming
    Prescriptive Fitting Methods
    Hearing Aid Verification
    Hearing Aid Orientation
    Validation of Hearing Aid Benefit
    Dispenser Practice Characteristics
    Summary
    Synopsis 9–3
    Supplemental Topic: Electroacoustic and Real-Ear Verification
    References
  • 10. Audiology as a Career
    Audiologists and Other Health Professionals
    Education and Professional Requirements
    Development of the Profession
    What Do Audiologists Do?
    Work Settings and Membership Demographics
    Synopsis 10–1
    References
  • 11. A Brief History of Audiology in the United States by James Jerger
    Historical Overview
    The Diagnostic Path
    The Rehabilitative Path
    The Screening Path
    The Auditory Processing Disorder Path
    Two Related Areas?
    Concluding Remarks
    Suggested Readings
• Glossary
• Index

About The Author

Steven Kramer, Ph.D.

Steven Kramer, Ph.D., is a Professor in the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at San Diego State University, where he has been a faculty member since 1985. He is also the Co-Director of the Audiology Doctoral (Au.D.) Program offered jointly by San Diego State University (SDSU) and the University California San Diego (UCSD). Dr. Kramer served as the department chair from 1990-2001. He obtained his master’s and doctoral degrees in audiology and hearing science from the University of Florida. He is a licensed and certified audiologist, and continues to be active in clinic. Before his appointment at SDSU, he was a clinical faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. His teaching assignments have included a wide array of courses, including diagnostics, medical audiology, evoked potentials, and anatomy/physiology. His research experience concentrates on diagnostics, including the use of auditory evoked potentials and otoacoustic emissions to describe normal auditory function, as well as the application of these measures for improving the evaluation of certain clinical impairments, especially infants at-risk for hearing loss.

Contributors

James Jerger, Ph.D.

H. Gustav Mueller, Ph.D.

Related Titles