The second edition of Hearing Science Fundamentals is a simply and clearly written introductory text, ideal for students beginning their training. It covers topics ranging from anatomy and physiology to auditory perception. This edition includes nine new chapters in addition to an expended section on auditory system pathologies. Each chapter provides an overview of key theoretical concepts with useful ‘vocabulary checkpoints’ to help familiarise the reader with technical terminology.
Clinical audiology students are likely to find the ‘clinical notes’ boxes throughout the text helpful in considering how their theoretical knowledge can apply in a clinical context. The simple illustrations are useful, although additional photographs may be more helpful for students trying to identify pathologies. The book provides a good starting point for building an understanding of the basic concepts underlying the study of hearing science. Nonetheless, students progressing through their undergraduate degree or undertaking postgraduate study will need to seek more detailed information from textbooks focused on anatomy, signal processing, diagnostic/rehabilitative audiology or auditory perception.
The online supplementary materials are extensive, including quizzes and lecture videos as well as anatomy exercises. These online resources are well worth utilising, particularly for students preparing for assessments. There are also elements that may be useful for teaching professionals looking to create or refresh their own lecture materials, with example lecture slides and a test bank. The cost of this book may make it inaccessible for students working on a tight budget. However, the book is a useful addition to any academic audiology library.
