Robb, a speech-language pathologist who most recently taught at the U. of Canterbury, New Zealand, offers an introductory textbook for beginning students on communication disorders in children and adults. He covers communication science, the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology, anatomy and physiology, and developmental communication and acquired and genetic disorders. The concluding section addresses audition, hearing disorders, and aural rehabilitation. Each chapter includes historical and cultural information. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)