Overview

This book is the most definitive speech science and acoustics textbook for students and professionals. Heavily referenced and based on current research and knowledge, Dr. Behrman presents a comprehensive study of acoustics, anatomy and physiology, and biomechanics of all major subsystems of speech production – breathing, phonation, resonation, and articulation. After providing an introduction to the science of speech and voice production and creating a foundation of knowledge in basic concepts of acoustics and physics, extensive attention is given to the examination of imaging, kinematic, and acoustic instrumentation used in research and clinical settings. The author includes a generous number of spectrograms (vowels, consonants, and coarticulatory effects), critical for effective study and application of spectrograms. Two key chapters on phonation present the most in-depth exploration of voice and laryngeal dynamics available in any existing text.

Concepts of speech motor control and speech perception are fully integrated into relevant chapters on vowels and consonants. Historical and current theories of speech production and perception, and many of the issues central to research in these areas, are addressed thoroughly. Discussions of clinical and research instrumentation are integrated into each chapter, helping the reader understand how information presented in each chapter is obtained, and how the abilities and limitations of instrumentation shape our knowledge of speech and voice science.

Instructors and students will benefit greatly from the substantial number of critical review questions following each chapter, and the accompanying PowerPoint slides will better facilitate teaching and learning.

Bringing together all of the knowledge crucial to the study of speech and voice science in one concise and readable textbook, this book is essential for courses in speech and voice science and acoustics and will effectively supplement courses in voice disorders. The depth of knowledge presented here is also highly appropriate for doctoral students and professionals in the field.

Reviews

• Doody Enterprises, Inc.:
  "* * * * Four stars from Doody's Review Service!"

• Lynn Helding, Journal of Singing, (2009):
  "Someone has finally done it: written 'Voice Science for the Non-Scientific (Yet Nevertheless Intelligent) Person'.... Both the set up scheme and graphic features of this book should guarantee its use by many different populations within the larger community of voice studies, for these allow the reader to navigate quickly to topics of interest without having to wade through clinical or technical language to get there."

Audience

Primary Subject: Speech and Language Pathology / Speech & Voice Science
Audience Level: Textbook - Desk Copy

• Preface.
• Foundations of Voice and Speech Science.
• Introduction
• Describing and Explaining Motion
• Sound Waves
• Breathing and Phonation
• Breathing
• Phonation I.
• Phonation II.
• Resonance and Articulation
• The Production and Perception of Vowels
• The Production and Perception of Consonants
• Research Topics in Speech Production and Perception
• Theories of Speech Production
• Theories of Speech Perception
• Appendices:
  • Measurement Conversions
  • Test Passages for Voice and Speech
  • Frequencies of the Musical Scale
  • The International Phonetic Alphabet
  • The Answer Key

About The Author

Alison Behrman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Alison Behrman, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor in Speech Communication Studies at Iona College. A well-respected speech and voice scientist with clinical expertise in voice disorders, she maintains an active research program and lectures around the world on speech science, instrumentation and the treatment of voice disorders. She has developed voice centers for two major New York City medical centers and was a founding member of the International Conference on the Physiology and Acoustics of Singing.

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