To address this gap, our work incorporates qualitative research methods, such as interviews and open-ended reflections, to explore personal perspectives that may be overlooked in traditional quantitative studies. These approaches reveal how people describe listening fatigue, the strategies they use to manage difficult listening situations, and the ways listening demands shape social participation, work, and overall quality of life. By integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence, our research aims to develop a more comprehensive understanding of listening effort. Ultimately, this work helps inform counseling, rehabilitation strategies, and clinical decision-making so audiologists can provide more individualized care and support better communication outcomes for people with hearing differences.

Our research examines how early childhood educators understand and support children with hearing differences in preschool settings. Teachers play an important role in children’s communication development and are often among the first professionals to notice potential hearing concerns. Because preschool classrooms are language-rich environments where listening, interaction, and participation are essential, educators’ knowledge and confidence in supporting children with hearing differences can significantly influence early learning experiences. Our research explores preschool teachers’ awareness of hearing differences, their familiarity with communication strategies that promote listening and language development, and the resources they use to help children participate fully in classroom activities. Through surveys and interviews, we examine educators’ experiences working with children who have hearing differences and identify areas where additional information or training may be beneficial.

A key component of this research focuses on cytomegalovirus (CMV) and congenital CMV (cCMV), which is the most common infectious cause of childhood hearing loss. Despite its prevalence, awareness of CMV and its relationship to hearing loss remains relatively low among many caregivers and educators. Our research investigates what preschool teachers know about CMV transmission, prevention, and its potential impact on hearing and development.

By better understanding educators’ perspectives, this research aims to identify knowledge gaps and guide the development of educational resources that support inclusive classroom practices and promote early awareness of hearing loss and its causes. This work is conducted in collaboration with the UCONN LEND program.

Our work emphasizes community-engaged learning, an approach that connects academic training with meaningful partnerships in the community. These initiatives create opportunities for students to learn directly from individuals and organizations affected by hearing differences while contributing to projects that promote communication access and hearing health awareness. Through collaborations with community groups, advocacy organizations, and individuals with hearing differences, students engage in activities such as attending community meetings, conducting interviews, developing educational materials, and reflecting on lived experiences of hearing differences. These experiences allow students to move beyond textbook knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the real-world communication, social, and accessibility challenges faced by people with hearing differences.

A central goal of this work is to help future audiologists and hearing health professionals develop stronger listening, empathy, and counseling skills. Community-engaged learning also encourages students to consider the broader social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence hearing health, communication access, and quality of life.

By integrating community perspectives into academic learning, this approach helps strengthen the connection between universities and the communities they serve. Ultimately, it supports the development of more responsive, patient-centered hearing healthcare while empowering students to become advocates for accessibility and inclusion for individuals with hearing differences.