Faculty in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science investigate health, development, aging, and disability related to speech, language, swallowing and hearing. Their aim is to develop new ways to assess, prevent and treat communication disabilities.
Research in the department is supported by grants from leading funding agencies including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Education and Department of Defense.
Core Research Themes
Speech and Hearing Science faculty have identified interrelated themes to reflect areas of excellence and expertise. They represent three focal points to concentrate scholarly attention and resources, guide departmental decision-making, and provide an interface with our professional programs. Each core theme characterizes a research agenda that channels opportunities for learning and reflects a targeted area of impact to advance knowledge and practice.
Research Themes Overview
Theme #1: Communication diversity across the lifespan
Successful communication abilities, and the understanding of interpersonal differences in communication practices, are important for health and well-being across the lifespan. Collectively, our faculty contribute to research on the genetic, biological, sensory-motor, social and cognitive-linguistic bases of interpersonal communication and its development. We use a wide variety of research designs to identify cultural and age-related expectations for development and to identify predictors of change in speech, language, literacy, hearing and voice. Our research improves the early identification and diagnostics of communication disorders and to support communication practices that will enhance quality of life in family, social, educational and vocational contexts.
Theme #2: Neural bases of communication and swallowing
Neural processes are important to all aspects of communication. Our faculty study brain anatomy and physiology of human communication and swallowing. In doing so, we examine the sensory/neural mechanisms that mediate sensory-motor integration, perception and cognition related to speech, hearing and language. Through a variety of methodological approaches, our research advances understanding of the sensory/neuro-pathological bases of speech, language, hearing, cognitive and swallowing disorders in pediatric and adult populations. Our research leads to deeper understanding of neural processes and brain functions for human communication and speech, language and hearing disabilities.
Theme #3: Treatment research in communication sciences and disorders
Communicative competence is a foundation for all human social interaction, whether learning in schools, engaging in family life, working effectively or participating as citizens in public life. Our faculty implement assessment, diagnosis and intervention strategies for healthy communication practices across the lifespan, including individuals with recognized communication disorders, disabilities and those from linguistic minority groups. We have a particular interest in the development and evaluation of assistive technologies, as well as the development and evaluation of evidence-based practices, prevention and treatment models.
Recent Research Highlights
Our faculty and students are actively contributing to groundbreaking research in speech, hearing, language and cognitive sciences. Here you’ll find some of our latest achievements.
Get Involved
If you’re a student wishing to get involved with a research lab, or if you’re a community member interested in becoming a research participant, visit our engagement initiatives page.