Introduction to Audiologic Rehabilitation : Facilitating Communication Across the Lifespan

The eighth edition of Introduction to Audiologic Rehabilitation offers a comprehensive exploration of aural rehabilitation spanning across the lifespan. Written in an accessible style for undergraduate students, the text covers the fundamentals, methods of assessment and management, technologies, and contemporary issues for a thorough understanding of audiologic rehabilitation practices. Two chapters focus solely on real-world case studies addressing the needs of children and adults. There are detailed chapters on hearing aids and hearing assistive technologies, cochlear implants, auditory and visual stimuli in communication, language and speech of the deaf and hard of hearing, psychosocial aspects of hearing loss, and more. 

New to the Eighth Edition: 

• Discussion of current issues and trending topics including over-the-counter hearing aids

• Highlights related to telepractice and teleaudiology

• Addition of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics related to hearing health disparities and audiologic rehabilitations

• Updated PluralPlus companion website with instructor and student resources

Key Features: 

• Based on a proven model framed within the concepts of the World Health Organization

• Authored by leading experts ensuring current, evidence-based information

• Emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach, recognizing the collaborative nature of audiologic rehabilitation involving professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and related fields

• Case studies offer application opportunities across the lifespan

• Each chapter includes activities, recommended readings, and websites for additional resources

• Visual aids, including figures, tables, and photos enhance student comprehension, particularly for complex topics such as cochlear implants and auditory stimulation

• Appendices containing valuable terms, definitions, and additional resources for easy reference

Ronald L. Schow, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at Idaho State University, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1975. He earned his PhD at Northwestern University, where his major advisor was Raymond Carhart, who started the first training program in audiology at Northwestern University in 1947. In 1980, he and Mike Nerbonne edited the first edition of this text and since that time have been leaders in audiologic rehabilitation. He is a charter member of the International Collegium of Rehabilitative Audiology and an ASHA Fellow. Dr. Schow also has made major contributions in self-assessment and auditory processing disorders (APD). He led an effort to do a national normative study on APD and, with Academic Therapy Publications (ATP) and coauthors, they published MAPA-2 in 2018. ATP provides a commercial version of the CD and supportive materials for MAPA-2. Dr. Schow continues to be involved in audiology with a grandson now majoring in the Idaho State University AuD program. He still enjoys his hobbies of hiking, travel, and family activities.

Michael A. Nerbonne, PhD, received his PhD at Michigan State University and is Professor Emeritus of Audiology at Central Michigan University. He has published widely in professional journals, is coauthor of Communication Disorders of the Aged, and is coeditor of seven editions of Introduction to Audiologic Rehabilitation. In addition to his ongoing commitment to audiology, Dr. Nerbonne is focused on family time and fishing.

Gabriel A. Bargen, PhD, CCC-A/SLP, is Associate Professor of Audiology within the College of Health and Executive Director of the Health Science Center at Idaho State University. With a background in both speech-language pathology and audiology, pediatric audiology is her passion with over 15 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses including advanced aural rehabilitation and pediatric audiology. Dr. Bargen’s research strives to improve education and training for audiologists and early interventionists to provide exceptional services to children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families.

Kristina M. Blaiser, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology at Idaho State University and the director of the ISU Helping Adults Talk to Children (HATCH) Family Support and the Idaho Hearing Education and Aural Rehabilitation (IHEAR) Graduate Training Program. Dr. Blaiser’s experiences range from early intervention provider, aural rehabilitation specialist at a cochlear implant center, to executive director of schools for early education of children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing. Dr. Blaiser’s research focuses on implementing innovative ways to provide family-centered early intervention. Dr. Blaiser has served as the Coordinator of Special Interest Group 9, Pediatric Hearing and Hearing Disorders and the Special Topics Chair for the Council of Exceptional Children Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DCD).

Chris A. Sanford, PhD, CCC-A, is a Professor in the Audiology Program in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development in the College of Health at Idaho State University. Dr. Sanford has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the audiology program, conducted research, mentored students in clinical and research activities, and served in administrative roles. He thoroughly enjoys working with amazing students and dedicated colleagues at Idaho State University! His primary clinic and research interests have centered on pediatrics assessment techniques with goals of improving diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders and providing the best care possible for children and their families. When he’s not at work, Dr. Sanford enjoys spending time with his family, including hiking, mountain biking, and trail running in the beautiful mountains of Idaho!