Acoustics for Audiologists. (2000). By Edgar Villchur. Singular Publishing Group, Inc., 401 West A St., Suite 325, San Diego, CA 92101-7904. 96 pages, $56.95. Reviewed by Michael D. Page, Primary Children' s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT.

This introductory paperback book contains 10 bibliographic-referenced chapters with headings such as "The Sound Wave," "The Measurements of Sound: Octaves and Bels," "Acoustic Resonators," "Horns," "The Acoustical Transmission Path of the Ear," "Psychoacoustics," "Music and Speech," "Amplification," "Signal Processing in Hearing Aids," and "Noise and Interference." Included are an author index and a subject index with first- and second-level listings. The author suggests a better title for the book would be Acoustics, Psychoacoustics, and Electronics for Audiologists . The target audience includes clinical audiologists and hearing aid dispensers. The detail level appears appropriate for basic undergraduate courses in acoustics but may be used as a general reference for audiologists.

This small introductory text provides an "acoustics-made-easy" approach to the complex topic of sound. It is likely used by audiology or hearing science students for general review, or by audiologists for a "brush-up" on topics relating to sound science. It is less helpful to research professionals steeped in hearing science. Its presentation of the topics is provided in simple and understandable terms. Limited pages make the publication fairly easy to navigate. Perusing the book is made easier because of a small table of contents and a detailed index. However, second-level table of contents headings ease a reader's travels through any publication. Quality could have been enhanced by glossaries of terms, formulae, and abbreviations. The content, though fundamental, provides a good source for review material, although the sound of an "affordable paperback" of this size makes the $56.95 price tag hard to hear.