Project Mentor
Dr. Insoo Kim
Department of Medicine
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | The primary objective of this project is to develop self-fitting hearing aids that enhance speech intelligibility while adapting to individual user preferences through a self-administered hearing assessment and fitting procedure. Students will contribute to the development and evaluation of a self-administered speech intelligibility test based on the Modified Rhyme Test (MRT). Student responsibilities will include administering MRT sessions in an audiometric booth, assisting with participant management, and supporting data collection, processing, and statistical analysis. In addition, students will assist graduate researchers in the development and evaluation of AI/ML-based speech enhancement algorithms, contributing to data preparation, testing workflows, and performance analysis in support of adaptive, user-centered hearing aid design. Through these activities, students will gain hands-on experience in auditory perception research, human-subject experimentation, and data-driven evaluation of hearing aid technologies. |
| Project Direction | The primary objective of this project is to design and validate a self-administered speech-based hearing test specifically tailored for older adults. This test will be evaluated against standard audiological assessments administered by licensed audiologists to establish its validity, reliability, and clinical relevance. Comparative analysis between self-administered and clinician-administered tests will determine how effectively the new method captures speech perception deficits associated with age-related hearing loss. The second aim is to leverage the outcomes of the self-administered test to personalize a speech enhancement algorithm. Test results will inform algorithmic parameter adjustments, allowing users to self-optimize speech clarity according to their individual perceptual needs and preferences. This approach aligns with recent trends in hearing healthcare that emphasize user-driven fitting and accessibility. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | The PI will have weekly one-on-one meetings with students to share the goal and check the progress. The PI has an open-door policy during work hours. So, students can stop by the PI's office anytime when they need help/advice from the PI. Students will work with graduate students in the lab, so they will receive the necessary guides for the project. |
| Student Qualifications | - American English native speakers are preferred but not required. - Familiar with MATLAB. - Backgrounds in statistics and statistical software are a plus. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Research Dates: May 18 to July 24, 2026 Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2026, Spring 2027 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 3 hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU26-19. The application deadline is Monday, February 16, 2026.
This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, GPA, and a brief statement of research interests.