The blend of science and clinical applications provides students with an understanding of normal processes and disorders across the life-span. Case illustrations, figures, and photographs are used liberally to illustrate concepts and place them in a clinical context. The chapters maintain a balance between speech, language, and hearing assuring a balanced presentation of the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. Chapters addressing disorders include information on the scientific basis for understanding each condition as well as assessment and treatment. The high-interest descriptions of communication disorders engage students planning to enter the field as well as non-majors who simply desire to better understand communication disorders.