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measure hearing loss but also considers broader issues of hearing loss over centuries. The origin of this article is that Bob has been a practicing otolaryngologist (and active hearing researcher) for many years and also has a long-held passion for the history of hearing studies. Talk- ing with Bob as this article evolved was immense fun and allowed me to renew a friendship of many years.
The fifth article is about former ASA president and Gold Medal recipient David M. (Dave) Green. Dave’s former colleagues William A. (Bill) Yost, Roy D. Patterson, and Lawrence L. (Larry) Feth share Dave’s history as a pio- neer in the study of psychoacoustics and signal detection theory. They also give insights into some of Dave’s most critical contributions to our understanding of hearing.
The last article by Zhaoyan Zhang is on vocal health. Zha- oyan gives great insight into the mechanisms by which humans make sounds. Although I was familiar with some of the mechanics, what I find particularly fascinating are the insights into the health of the human vocal system and some of the clinical mechanisms used to maintain health.
This issue of AT also includes, as we do in every Spring and Fall issue, a list of recent ASA award winners and new Fel- lows. I congratulate these colleagues on their achievements.
As usual, our first “Sound Perspectives” essay is “Ask an Acoustician” as coauthored by AT Associate Editor Micheal Dent. This essay is about Kathleen J. (Kathy) Vigness-Raposa.
Kathy’s work focuses on underwater acoustics, with a par- ticular interest in anthropogenic sound. In addition, Kathy is one of the leads on the “Discovery of Sound in the Sea” web page (see www.dosits.org) and, through that, makes major contributions to the understanding of acoustics by millions of people around the world each year.
Each year, the ASA participates in the International Sci- ence and Engineering Fair that encourages the interest of precollege students from around the world in science and engineering. The ASA presents a number of awards in the area of acoustics. These are shared in a “Sound Per- spectives” essay by ASA Committee Chair Laurie Heller.
The next “Sound Perspectives” essay is by two neuro- science graduate students, Ira Kraemer and Elizabeth Kolberg. Ira and Elizabeth write about supporting people
with disabilities in academia and other professions. I decided to invite this article after I read a piece about the disability issues by one of the authors, and it struck me that the ASA interest in diversity extends to people who have various disabilities. Although Ira and Elizabeth focus on academia, many of the basic issues they raise, and even some of the solutions, apply in most work environments.
The next essay, by Brenda L. Lonsbury-Martin, is about the ASA Medals and Awards Committee. It is part of the series of essays in AT about various ASA committees (all listed on our “AT Collections” page). In the essay, Brenda talks about how to apply or nominate someone for vari- ous ASA awards.
This is followed by another administrative essay by James H. Miller. In his essay, Jim provides his annual update on the status of the ASA Foundation Fund, the very impor- tant group that provides critical funding for so many ASA members and activities.
The last essay is by Neil A. Shaw. Readers may remember that we held a mini contest in the Spring 2021 issue of AT to translate an advertisement that Neil placed. He wanted to give away his very extensive library of books on acous- tics. Neil tells me that the library has found a home. But I got so curious about the library that I asked Neil to write an essay to give a taste of what he amassed over the years. If you read this essay and the article by Steve Garrett, you will find names of people and books in common.
I have to mention the cover of this issue, of Lord Rayleigh. The picture was inspired by Rayleigh being discussed in both an article and an essay in this issue of AT. Although Lord Rayleigh’s work was not all in acoustics, he certainly
had an immense influence on our field (as you will read). The cover is by my friend Mark Weinberg, the artist who has done several other covers for AT. You can view all of Mark’s work, including his paintings of other famous
historical figures, at edgieart.squarespace.com.
I will end by again inviting members to suggest topics for “AT Collections.” It is easy to look back at past issues of AT because they all are online on our web page. We particularly look forward to suggestions from students about collections that might have served them or will serve them in their education.
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