Physics of Sound and Electroacoustics

Abstract

Rigorous methods of testing auditory function are facilitated by standards, which help guide practitioners in various practices and help ensure reliable methods of calibration of various instrumentation in (audiometers) and around (sound level meters) these methods. Calibration is pervasive in standards, reflecting a lawful foundation. The most fundamental basis derives from the laws of physics, which extend directly to and are further elaborated in the specialty area of acoustics. Acoustical phenomena and quantities have direct analogs in electrical phenomena and quantities, permitting sound measurement, control, and production electronically, due to electroacoustic transduction. Sound synthesis and analysis through mathematical tools permits both fundamental insights into signals and sophisticated evaluations of systems' performance, from the makeup of sounds to the nature of distortion. This article provides an overview of these underlying principles, all of which are reflected in standards impacting the practice of audiology, thus supporting the remaining articles in this issue.

Keywords

Acoustics - spectrum - transduction

• References

• 1 Durrant JD, Feth LL. Hearing Sciences: A Foundational Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education; 2013
• 2 Berg RE, Stork DG. Physics of Sound. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education; 2005
• 3 Feynman RP, Leighton RB, Sands M. The Feynman Lectures of Physics. Vol. 1. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley Publishing Co.; 1963
• 4 Speaks CE. Introduction to Sound: Acoustics for Hearing and Speech Sciences. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group; 1992
• 5 Feldman AS, Wilber LA. Eds. Acoustic Impedance and Admittance: The Measurement of Middle Ear Function. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1976
• 6 Kinsler LE, Frey AR, Coppens AB, Saunders JV. Fundamentals of Acoustics. 4th ed. John New York, NY: Wiley & Sons; 2000
• 7 Moser PJ. Electronics and Instrumentation for Audiologists. New York, NY: Psychology Press; 2009
• 8 Beranek LL. Acoustical Measurements. 2d ed. New York, NY: American Institute of Physics; 1988
• 9 Haughton P. Acoustics for Audiologists. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited; 2002
• 10 Rossing TD, Moore FR, Wheeler PA. The Science of Sound. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson/Addison-Wesley; 2001
• 11 Kleiner M. Electroacoustics. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2013
• 12 Newell P, Holland K. Loudspeakers: For Music Recording and Reproduction. Burlington, MA: Focal Press; 2007
• 13 Rosen S, Howell P. Signals and Systems for Speech and Hearing. London, UK: Academic Press; 1991
• 14 Durrant JD, Lovrinic JH. Bases of Hearing Science. 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins; 1995