Acoustics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of mechanical
waves in gases, liquids, and solids including topics such as vibration, sound,
ultrasound and infrasound. A scientist who works in the field of acoustics is
an acoustician while someone working in the field of acoustics technology
may be called an acoustical engineer. The application of acoustics is present
in almost all aspects of modern society with the most obvious being the audio
and noise control industries.
Hearing is one of the most crucial means of survival in the animal world and
speech is one of the most distinctive characteristics of human development and
culture.