May 05, 2026 | Ethan Simmons Virtual reality helps “bridge the gap” between lab environments and the real world At the Speech Accommodation to Acoustics Lab, researchers are trying to solve a common problem for teachers and vocal performers. How can they be heard and understood without straining their voices? Pasquale Bottalico, associate professor of […]
Tag: Speech and Hearing Science
Champaign-Urbana celebrates ‘World Voice Day’
April 15, 2026 | Ethan Simmons Faculty members in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science brought “World Voice Day” to both cities and the University of Illinois. Our vocal folds are roughly the length of our thumbnail, and yet they enable us to speak, sing, laugh and share our favorite stories. On April 16, […]
Two AHS faculty members recognized for excellence in instruction
March 18, 2026 | Ethan Simmons Recognized by the Office of the Provost: Speech and Hearing Science Associate Professor Mary Flaherty and Health and Kinesiology Instructor Christy Bazan Every year, the University of Illinois Office of the Provost recognizes faculty members for excellence in instruction, who are nominated by committees of faculty, staff and students […]
SHS researchers patent method to extract speech from noise using high frequencies
Dec. 18, 2025 | Ethan Simmons Extended high frequencies, above 8 kHz, can make speech more intelligible in noisy environments. When we speak, the air moving through our vocal cords generates soundwaves vibrating at different frequencies: the higher the frequency, the higher the pitch. Most of our modern audio technology, including hearing aids, headphones, and […]
Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) Program Phasedown
Oct. 16, 2025 | Department of Speech and Hearing Science On July 17, 2025, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved the decision to phase down the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Program. Please read further to understand our decision and our continued commitment to hearing education and clinical services. Our History in Audiology Training […]
Health study involves adults with Down syndrome ‘every step of the way’
Oct. 15, 2025 | Ethan Simmons NIH-funded study will develop community resources to support well-being of adults with Down syndrome The transition to adulthood can be a challenging phase for people with Down syndrome, as resources built to support them in their youth and in school begin to dry up. Marie Moore Channell, associate professor […]
AHS Faculty Q&A: Mariana Mendes Bahia on swallowing disorders and her research agenda
Oct. 14, 2025 | Ethan Simmons Speech and Hearing Science Assistant Professor Mariana Mendes Bahia, Ph.D. and CCC-SLP, is an expert on swallowing physiology, respiratory-swallowing coordination, and therapeutic strategies to alleviate swallowing disorders, called dysphagia. She joined the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in fall of 2024, and leads […]
Georgia Malandraki named new head of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science
May 13, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Malandraki succeeds Pamela Hadley The College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Georgia A. Malandraki as the new head of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science, effective January 2026. Dr. Malandraki brings with her an exceptional […]
SHS student Carbajal speaks her goals into existence
June 03, 2024 | Darina Lubenov Alexandra Carbajal discovered her passion for her major, Speech and Hearing Science, during her freshman year at the University of Illinois. After that, everything else she found was through drive and dedication. “I had a speech therapist when I was a kindergartener,” Carbajal said. “So, I know what a […]
Improving clinical practice and quality of life
May 03, 2024 | Anna Flanagan Speech and Hearing Science Associate Professors Marie Moore Channell and Laura Mattie have long been interested in the development of communication and life skills in individuals with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities. Channell directs the Intellectual DisAbilities Communication Lab, where her research team works toward a comprehensive understanding of skills that […]