With this comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field, you will gain all the skills and knowledge needed to work with current and future audio, speech, and hearing processing technologies. Topics covered include mobile telephony, human-computer interfacing through speech, medical applications of speech and hearing technology, electronic music, audio compression and reproduction, big data audio systems and the analysis of sounds in the environment. All of this is supported by numerous practical illustrations, exercises, and hands-on MATLAB examples on topics as diverse as psychoacoustics (including some auditory illusions), voice changers, speech compression, signal analysis and visualisation, stereo processing, low-frequency ultrasonic scanning, and machine learning techniques for big data. With its pragmatic and application driven focus, and concise explanations, this is an essential resource for anyone who wants to rapidly gain a practical understanding of speech and audio processing and technology.

This accessible introduction includes numerous practical illustrations, exercises, and hands-on MATLAB examples to equip readers with the skills and knowledge needed to work with current and future audio, speech, and hearing processing technologies. Clearly and concisely written, it is an ideal guide for students and industry practitioners alike.

1. Introduction; 2. Basic audio processing; 3. Speech; 4. The human auditory system; 5. Psychoacoustics; 6. Speech communications; 7. Audio analysis; 8. Big data; 9. Speech recognition; 10. Advanced topics; 11. Conclusion.