Many who come to work in audiology have little previous training in acoustics, or in the physical sciences generally. They find these subjects difficult, but when they seek help from books on audiology, they are likely to find only superficial accounts whereas books on acoustics mostly assume a physics-based readership and are consequently too difficult for the general reader.

Acoustics for Audiologists fills the gap. It can be read at several levels. At the most basic, it provides a full explanation of many of the general principles and special terms in acoustics that are relevant to clinical audiology and audiological science. The main text is supported by an introductory chapter covering the underlying physics, an appendix on the required mathematics, and worked examples and questions. At a more advanced level, the book answers the needs of students of audiological science and audiological medicine for whom previous studies have not included the physical sciences.

* Written for audiologists, trainee audiological scientists, and students of audiological medicine

* Supporting text includes a quick review of the relevant physics and mathematics

* Special exercises in working with decibels

* Worked examples to assist self-study and as a source for taught courses

* More than 170 figures

A textbook for practicing and training audiologists on the physics of sound that underlie their practice with clients and patients who have hearing disorders. The basic concepts of physics and mathematics are reviewed in an introductory chapter, and formal mathematics are kept to a minimum, but Haughton (medical physics, Hull Royal Infirmary) reminds readers that the subject is, after all physics and mathematics.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

el Audiology."

--ENT NEWS

"...an excellent book that stands out from the competition...an essential reference work for all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in audiology."

— BSA News

] recommend this book...for Audiology departments, calibration services, and as a teaching text suitable for BSc and MSc level Audiology."

--ENT NEWS

"...an excellent book that stands out from the competition...an essential reference work for all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in audiology."

— BSA News

Audiology is a relatively new discipline and acoustics a well-established branch of physics. The two disciplines have broadened their applications in recent years, but while acoustics has remained firmly based in physics, audiology has by its nature become a paramedical discipline.

be read at several levels. At the most basic, it provides a full explanation of many of the general principles and special terms in acoustics that are relevant to clinical audiology and audiological science. At a more advanced level, the book answers the acoustical needs of students of audiological science and audiological medicine for whom previous studies have not included the physical sciences.

Peter Haughton was born in London in 1941. After obtaining a degree in physics he joined a small research team in the Astbury Department of Biophysics at the University of Leeds where he was awarded a PhD for work on the mechanical properties of cellulose. He also enjoyed a short-term appointment in the botany department of the University of Washington where he did similar work. Two brief period of employment followed, one at a technical college, teaching mathematics and physics, and one in the University of Glasgow working on the rheology of silicon-based liquids. In 1975 he joined the medical physics department at Hull Royal Infirmary where his principal duties were to provide scientific support for the ENT and audiology departments.

His rather unusual and varied background has perhaps given the author a wider perspective on audiology than seen by one who has followed a more linear career path. Readers may notice that, in places, the descriptions in this book have a broader and more philosophical outlook than those found elsewhere.

The author is a former member of the Council of the British Society of Audiology and for about 10 years he was the editor of its newsletter. He is a long-standing member of the examinations board of the British Association of Audiologists. He is a Member of the Institute of Physics and Honorary Fellow in the department of medical physics at the University of Hull. He has written a book on the physical principles of audiology and about 20 technical articles, mostly on audiological subjects.

The Basics

Vibrations

Sound Waves

Sources of Sound

Nonsinusoidal Waveforms

Measuring Sound

Impedance

Calibration and Testing of Audiometric Equipment

Audiometric Test Room

Hearing Aids: Basic Electroacoustic Characteristics

Appendix A: Supplementary Mathematics

Appendix B: Working with Decibels

Answers to Numerical Problems

Index