Synopsis
This is an up-to-date, practical reference for the management of voice disorders caused by structural and neurologic etiologies, as well as psychogenic disorders. This editions features an expanded collection of clinical case studies as well as a DVD-ROM with demonstrationsvocal fold vibratory patterns, stroboscopic examples of various pathologies, and audio samples of dysarthric voices.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Adrienne B. Hancock, PhD(George Washington University)
Description:Voice development, structure, and physiology are explored in depth and in the context of diagnosing clinical voice disorders in this book. Treatments are also presented, but to a much lesser extent. Excellent videos and additional chapters are included on a DVD that accompanies the book.
Purpose:The authors prepare readers to diagnose and treat voice disorders with a comprehensive foundation in anatomy and physiology, neurology, and psychology pertinent to the voice. They accomplish this by presenting a broad scope of voice disorders and supplementing the text with illustrations and audio-video samples.
Audience:This book is directed at students, probably at the Masters level. Some of the chapters (e.g., embryology) could serve students with a desire to specialize in voice, but probably wouldn't be assigned reading in a typical voice disorders graduate course. The authors are certainly knowledgeable and experienced, and have much to offer.
Features:Diagnostics are particularly well covered. From anatomy and physiology to acoustics and air flow, readers will be well informed and know how to test a clinical hypothesis! The DVD provides many case examples excellent for perceptual practice and training the clinician's observation skills. I would be remiss if I did not point out Aronson's dysarthria differential diagnosis segment on the DVD -- FANTASTIC! The illustrations are very clear and useful (some in color). I would like to have seen more treatment approaches or facilitating techniques, but the treatments that are included are explained with a case study and sometimes a video demonstration.
Assessment:In comparison to other books on voice, this one seems to have more detail about resonance disorders and psychogenic disorders.