Book excerpt: Hearing Science and Hearing Disorders focuses on the nature of the processes in the inner ear and the nervous system that mediate hearing. Organized into eight chapters, this book first discusses the nature of speech communication, the extent of hearing problems, and the pathophysiology of hearing. Four core chapters follow, in which four areas of central importance to understanding hearing disorders and their effects are covered. These areas are assessment of auditory function, the scope for technological solutions, the nature of audio-visual speech perception, and the effects of deafness upon speech production. This book will be valuable to students; to academic and professional workers concerned with hearing, speech, and their disorders; and to scientifically or medically literate people in general.