Plural Publishing, San Diego, offers new audiometry texts from its Core Clinical Concepts in Audiology Series, as follows:
Early sections of Pure-Tone Audiometry and Masking, authored by Maureen Valente, PhD, describe integral concepts that provide foundation for the comprehensive audiologic evaluation, such as a basic acoustics overview, equipment, and calibration. The 130-page textbook leads readers through preparation for testing and step-by-step generation of a pure-tone audiogram. Descriptions and examples are provided relative to major parameters involved in audiogram interpretation: type of hearing loss, magnitude, configuration, and symmetry. The second section relates to masking theory and procedures involved in clinical masking, particularly during pure-tone audiometry. Examples are provided, in addition to sections regarding obtaining valid measures, pearls and pitfalls encountered during testing, audiogram interpretation with common hearing disorders, advanced applications for using pure-tone stimuli in diagnostic audiology, and more. The book serves as a framework for integration of additional audiologic procedures with pure-tone audiometry as its base. Many of the most difficult concepts for a beginning audiology student are addressed: references of the decibel in basic acoustics, calibration of equipment, interpretation of the audiogram, and masking procedures.
In March 2010, the publisher plans to release the Basic Audiometry Learning Manual, by Mark DeRuiter, MBA, PhD, and Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, to provide beginning clinicians and students with experiences and instruction in the art and science of clinical audiometry techniques. Learning objectives, review of concepts, observation exercises, guided practice, and review materials serve as catalysts for active learning of concepts and provide opportunity for using fundamental audiometry methods. The 150-page manual can be used as a stand-alone tool, or in conjunction with the books of the complementary CCC Basic Audiometry Series to promote reflection, application, and assessment of learned information. The content spans the breadth of audiologic evaluation, including history taking and patient communication, ear canal assessment and management, immittance, pure-tone testing, masking, speech audiometry, patient counseling, and report writing. It is designed to cultivate successful learning of students and entry-level professionals. Each chapter consists of various components designed to guide the reader through an engaging process of active learning.
In fall 2010, Plural plans to release Speech Audiometry, by Gary Lawson, PhD, andMary Peterson, AuD, for students and clinicians. It provides broad coverage of speech audiometry and masking in clinical protocols. In addition to providing background information, the coverage presents a broad spectrum of assessment tools ranging from traditional to modern. Procedures in this 175-page book will assist clinicians in determining differential diagnosis, assessing auditory processing ability, identifying pseudohypacusis, determining cochlear implant candidacy, predicting hearing aid benefit, and counseling.
[Source: Plural Publishing]