Rigorous methods of testing auditory function are facilitatedby standards, which help guide practitioners in various practices andhelp ensure reliable methods of calibration of various instrumentation in(audiometers) and around (sound level meters) these methods. Calibra-tion is pervasive in standards, reflecting a lawful foundation. The mostfundamental basis derives from the laws of physics, which extenddirectly to and are further elaborated in the specialty area of acoustics.Acoustical phenomena and quantities have direct analogs in electricalphenomena and quantities, permitting sound measurement, control,and production electronically, due to electroacoustic transduction.Sound synthesis and analysis through mathematical tools permitsboth fundamental insights into signals and sophisticated evaluationsof systems' performance, from the makeup of sounds to the nature ofdistortion. This article provides an overview of these underlyingprinciples, all of which are reflected in standards impacting the practiceof audiology, thus supporting the remaining articles in this issue.
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