The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) is holding the 2025 ASHA Convention from Nov. 20–22 in Washington, D.C. Our Department of Speech and Hearing Science at Illinois will be well-represented: several SHS faculty and graduate students will be in attendance to accept awards and present seminars on their research and teaching contributions. SHS faculty and […]
Category: Speech and Hearing Science
Meet Jerri and Lesli, our newest American Sign Language instructors
Oct. 16, 2025 | Ethan Simmons New Speech and Hearing Science instructors Lesli Williams and Jerri Seremeth are both “native signers”—they grew up learning American Sign Language as their first language and primary mode of communication. They joined the Department of Speech and Hearing Science this fall, and teach classes remotely. Which classes are you […]
Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Program Phasedown
Oct. 16, 2025 | Tia King 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 The Doctor of Audiology […]
Illinois researcher earns NIH subaward to advance cochlear implant technology
Oct. 27, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo New grant advances cochlear implant noise reduction Justin Aronoff, an associate professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science in the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has received a subaward on a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National […]
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 […]
Message from the interim department head
Oct. 21, 2025 | Amy Woods Dear Alumni and Friends, It is my pleasure to share with you the latest edition of our fall 2025 Speech and Hearing Science newsletter, which highlights the exciting work happening in our department. Even during a time of transition, our faculty, students, and staff continue to lead with innovation, […]
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 […]
Announcing our faculty promotions for 2025-26
Aug. 14, 2025 | AHS Staff Seven AHS faculty received promotions for the 2025-26 academic year Seven faculty at the College of Applied Health Sciences received promotions prior to the 2025-26 Academic Year. Here are their new faculty titles. Professor Nicholas Burd, Health and Kinesiology Andiara Schwingel, Health and Kinesiology Associate Professor Susan Aguiñaga, Health […]
Illinois researchers aim to develop more realistic hearing tests to improve clinical outcomes
July 14, 2025 | Adelyn Mui Imagine sitting in a busy café, struggling to follow a conversation as voices and background clatter blend together. For many people with hearing loss, this is a daily challenge—yet traditional hearing tests, conducted in silent rooms with isolated tones, fail to reflect these real-world difficulties. At the University of […]
SHS researchers bridge research and real life
May 20, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo The work at the College of Applied Health Sciences doesn’t stay in the lab—it transforms lives. Faculty such as Meaghan McKenna and Laura Mattie exemplify the college’s commitment to bridging research with community impact. Whether developing interventions for literacy in schools or building relationships with families of children with disabilities, they show how […]