Speech and Voice Science

Speech and Voice Science, Fifth Edition provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the scientific foundations of speech production and perception for students in communication sciences and disorders. Integrating principles from physics, acoustics, physiology, and neuroscience, the text explains how speech and voice are generated and how these processes relate directly to clinical practice in speech-language pathology. Clinical cases and practical examples help students connect foundational science concepts to communication disorders and evidence-based intervention.

Designed for undergraduate and graduate courses in speech science, acoustic phonetics, and voice science, the text emphasizes the interconnected roles of respiration, phonation, articulation, acoustics, and perception in human communication. With updated research, enhanced visualizations, and expanded coverage of key concepts, the fifth edition helps students develop the scientific understanding needed for thoughtful clinical decision-making.

New to the Fifth Edition

• Revised and expanded core chapters on acoustics, phonation, vowels, and consonants with additional explanations, deeper exploration of key concepts, and stronger connections between physiology, acoustics, and perception.
• Updated sensorimotor control content including expanded discussion of feedback and feedforward control, models of speech motor control, sensorimotor perturbation, and motor learning
• Over 80 new and updated figures across core chapters, plus more than 10 new animations illustrating dynamic acoustic events and speech production processes
• Expanded diversity and inclusion content covering gender-related topics, cultural and dialectal variation, racial disparities in research, and representation in speech science literature
• New content boxes on emerging topics, including applications of artificial intelligence to speech science
• New glossary defining key terms in each chapter

Key Features

• Clinical cases and application sections that illustrate how speech science principles inform assessment and treatment of communication disorders 
• Step-by-step explanations of complex concepts in acoustics, biomechanics, and physiology that support student comprehension across course levels 
• Integrated coverage of speech production and perception, helping students understand how physiological, acoustic, and perceptual processes interact 
• Dedicated chapter on instrumentation and measurement, introducing technologies used in speech science research and clinical analysis 
• Pedagogically structured chapters designed to support instruction in undergraduate and graduate speech science curricula

PluralPlus Online Ancillaries

For instructors: PowerPoint Slides, Test Bank, Videos, Class Activities, Labs
For students: Quizzes, eFlashcards, Videos