Audiology Science to Practice

Description

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.

Contents

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., 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.

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."