HEARING: A HANDBOOK FOR LAYMEN.

By Norton Canfield '25. New York: Doubleday, 1959. 214 pp. $3.50.

In this day of frequency modulation, high fidelity, and stereophonic sound, the problems of the hearing handicapped are gradually receiving more public attention.

The technical aspects of the field of hearing and sound are extremely complex, and there is much that is still unknown. The literature to date has been directed mainly from one professional section of this field to another, with only a few attempts to communicate to the layman. Dr. Canfield's book is a great contribution to this need. It is written for those with impaired hearing, as well as all associated with them, in an effort to provide understanding of their problem. This purpose it fulfills magnificently and should be of great benefit to the families and associates of these unfortunate individuals and, also, to doctors, nurses, and educators.

Here is a non-technical, simple explanation of the different types of hearing problems and the medical and surgical contributions to their prevention and alleviation. Dr. Canfield's book sets forth in a clear, concise manner the many phases of this intricate field. His discussion of the aspects of hearing loss in industry should have wide interest.

Recent advances in electronics and acoustical engineering have resulted in hearing aids of ever improving design and function. The sections of this book dealing with their use, their limitations, the pitfalls in their purchase, and the discussion of auditory rehabilitation in general are of inestimable value to all persons for whom this type of help is recommended.

The reluctance of the person with a hearing deficit to admit his handicap or seek help, plus the almost total ignorance of the problems of those who have this handicap, has resulted in a failure on the part of the general public to appreciate the magnitude of the problem. This book which will give hope to thousands of handicapped individuals will also give some degree of appreciation of their hearing problems to those other thousands associated with them.

It is from the understanding and support of our society as a whole that we can look for even greater achievement in the future towards the alleviation of the handicap of hearing loss. Dr. Canfield's book is a superb contribution to the initiation of this understanding.