An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing

Now available in a fifth edition, "An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing" is the leading textbook in the field of auditory perception also known as psychoacoustics. The fifth edition has been thoroughly updated, with more than 200 references to articles and books published since 1996. The book describes the relationships between the characteristics of the sounds that enter the ear and the sensations that they produce. Wherever possible these relationships are specified in terms of the underlying mechanisms. In other words, the goal is to impart an understanding of what the auditory system does and how it works. Topics covered include the physics of sound, the physiology of the auditory system, frequency selectivity and masking, loudness perception, temporal analysis, pitch perception, sound localization, timbre perception, the perceptual organization of complex auditory 'scenes', speech perception, and practical applications such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and high-fidelity sound reproduction. The book starts from basic principles, and does not assume prior knowledge about hearing. Research results are not just described, but are interpreted and evaluated. The book includes extensive references to recent research so that those interested in a specific area can readily obtain more detailed information. It is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses in psychology, speech and hearing sciences, and audiology. It will appeal to researchers and professionals involved in sound and hearing, such as audio engineers, otologists, hearing-aid designers, audiologists, and hearing aid dispensers. It provides emphasis on the mechanisms underlying auditory perception with key concepts clearly explained.