Physical Acoustics Physical Acoustics deals with the way in which sound waves propagate in solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas, and how they interact with these materials. High-frequency sound waves in solids are called phonons because they behave like particles. Observing their behavior has helped physicists understand the quantum behavior of liquids. Subatomic particles, such as protons, muons, and even the elusive neutrino, have been detected by the sound they make as they travel at high speeds through the ocean. Many new frontiers exist in this exciting field of research.
Most researchers have advanced degrees in physics.
Speech and Hearing The ability to communicate by spoken language is unique to man. We tend to take speech communication for granted, yet many aspects of it all still not completely understood. Some speech scientists are engaged in basic studies of speech production and perception, while others design machines that recognize verbal messages or individual speakers. Research that seeks to understand how man produces and perceives speech is leading to the development of methods for improved communication between man and machine and for more effective training and technical aids for those with disorders of communication. Of equal importance is a better understanding of hearing.