MATLAB Primer for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

MATLAB® Primer for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology provides training and access to MATLAB®, the computational language developed by MathWorks. While there are MATLAB® textbooks and manuals written for the field of engineering, there are no textbooks targeting allied heath disciplines and speech-language pathology and audiology in particular. Research and practice in this field can greatly benefit from quantification and automation in data management, a domain that is increasingly labor intensive. The text anticipates and promotes increased reliance on quantification and automation in the field of speech-language pathology and audiology.

This book is intended for students, practitioners and researchers in speech-language pathology and audiology who wish to increase their productivity by incorporating and automating common research procedures and data-analysis calculations, or to develop new tools and methods for their own paradigms and data processing. It assumes no prior knowledge of programming, but requires the reader have a grasp of basic computer skills such as managing folders, moving files, and navigating file paths and folder structures. Content and style are chosen so as to lower the threshold to an audience that as of yet has limited training in computer science. Concepts are presented in a personalized writing style (almost a dialogue with the reader), along with a didactic format that comes close to programmed instruction, using applications and work assignments that are concrete and manageable.

Key Features:

• Provides a comprehensive introduction to the user in an effort to limit background needed to follow the content
• Includes several mathematical review appendices
• Exercises are provided so the student can learn to apply what is covered in applications
• Supplies many examples of MATLAB code and makes use of several datasets

From the Foreword

This much-needed book opens the door to the laboratory, and guides the user through the basic concepts needed to get started on a path toward creative problem solving. Although intended for students, researchers, and clinicians in Speech Pathology and Audiology, this book is an excellent introduction for anyone wanting to learn to use MATLAB®. I have been a MATLAB® user for about two decades, and utilize it in nearly every aspect of my research and teaching. It has been an ideal environment for developing computational models of speech production, algorithms for processing acoustic, kinematic, and air flow signals, as well as for animating time-varying quantities such as a spectra and vocal tract configurations. I appreciate the difficulties, however, of teaching others to use MATLAB®, especially in the absence of a programming background. This book was written to address exactly this niche, and I believe it definitely succeeds in doing so.
Brad H. Story
Professor and Associate Department Head
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
University of Arizona

Review

• Nicholas Stanley, BA, University of South Alabama, Doody's (September 2016):
  "Not only is this a great introduction to MATLAB, it also illustrates how MATLAB can be used for stimuli creation and presentation, in addition to data collection and analysis. As part of stimuli creation, the authors show how to create various type of speech signals such as generate filter speech, speech in noise signals, gated speech, etc. In terms of data analysis techniques, it provides thorough, step-by-step instructions on how to measure various aspects of a recording including formants, voice quality, prosody, intensity envelopes, etc. One strength of this book is the clearly displayed commands that are necessary to perform a task in MATLAB. This allows readers to copy the commands into MATLAB and see how the desired output is achieved. Another unique feature is the inclusion of exercises, which are dispersed throughout the book, that provide readers with opportunities to apply some of the skills that they have just read about. For readers who are interested in the applicability of MATLAB to speech-language pathology and audiology, this book is highly recommended. The authors provide a detailed introduction to MATLAB, clear instructions on various signal processing techniques, and thorough descriptions of applications for data analysis and the use of MATLAB for data management."

Details: 232 pages, Illustrated (B/W), Softcover, 7 x 10" 1 lbs

Included Media: Companion Website

ISBN13: 978-1-59756-653-7

Release Date: 30/11/2015