THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK IS TO HELP TEACHERS, PARENTS, DOCTORS, AND WORKERS IN AUDIOLOGY CLINICS MAKE THE MOST OF SOUND IN THE EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL TREATMENT OF DEAFNESS. ASPECTS OF SOUND AMPLIFICATION CONSIDERED ARE THE NATURE OF SOUND, ELECTRICAL AMPLIFICATION, AND VARIOUS TYPES OF HEARING AIDS (INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, INDUCTION LOOP, SPEECH TRAINING). METHODS OF HEARING MEASUREMENT EXPLAINED ARE PURE TONE (AIR AND BONE CONDUCTION) AND SPEECH AUDIOMETRY. THE SPECIFIC STEPS ARE OUTLINED FOR A CLINICAL TEST OF A CHILD'S HEARING. ANALYSES OF AUDIOGRAMS AND CASE HISTORIES ILLUSTRATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEARING LOSSES. THE FOLLOWING FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE OPTIMUM UTILIZATION OF HEARING AIDS ARE DISCUSSED--FREQUENCY (AS MEASURED BY THE SONA-GRAPH) AND INTENSITY OF SPEECH SOUNDS, SPEAKER INTELLIGIBILITY DIFFERENCES, AND ACOUSTIC CONDITIONS (NOISE AND REVERBERATION). LITERATURE CONCERNING OPTIMUM LISTENING LEVELS IS REVIEWED, TOGETHER WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR ACHIEVING THE BEST LISTENING EXPERIENCE FOR EACH PATIENT. LOUDNESS RECRUITMENT IS TREATED AS A USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC FACTOR FOR AUDIOLOGISTS AND OTOLOGISTS, BUT OF LITTLE VALUE FOR TEACHERS OF THE DEAF. THE PROVISION OF AUDITORY EXPERIENCE ON A FULL TIME BASIS IS EMPHASIZED THROUGH SOUND AWARENESS TRAINING, FULL TIME USE OF HEARING AIDS, AND MUSIC. SPECIFIC LESSON MATERIALS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR WEARING AND MAINTAINING HEARING AIDS ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN TEST MATERIAL AND WORK LISTS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY LISTS 206 ITEMS. THIS DOCUMENT WAS PUBLISHED BY CHARLES C THOMAS, BANNERSTONE HOUSE, 301-327 EAST LAWRENCE AVENUE, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62703, AND IS AVAILABLE FOR $7.75. (JB)