Work with Us

The Listening Technology Lab is part of the Discovery Partners Institute, a new Chicago-based innovation hub dedicated to equitable economic development. The Applied R&D division at DPI emphasizes use-inspired and translational research with industry partners. We work with industry through:

• Sponsored and collaborative research projects
• Licensing and commercialization partnerships
• Talent development (internships, apprenticeships, and much more!)

Outside of formal partnerships, we are eager to hear from industry to learn about market needs and trends and identify new opportunities.

If you are interested in working with us, please contact Dr. Corey (corey1@uic.edu) or anyone from the DPI R&D Industry Program team.

• Discovery Partners Institute - Applied R&D

Nothing about us without us

— Disability rights slogan

We believe in use-inspired research driven by community feedback and engagement. We strive to include the hearing loss community at every stage of research, from the very first scribblings on the whiteboard. Some of our most impactful research projects (like on face masks and assistive listening systems) started with a request or question from someone with hearing loss. That means that we want to hear from you!

• Do you have a need that isn’t being met by your hearing technology?
• Do you wish your hearing technology could work better?
• What barriers do you face when using technology (hearing or otherwise)?
• Is there a problem that other researchers have overlooked?
• Have you come across a cool project or idea that we should know about?
• Is there an event that we should be involved in?

Please reach out to Dr. Corey at corey1@uic.edu.

We occasionally perform research with human participants. Some studies specifically focus on people with hearing loss, but most are open to anyone.

There are no active studies at this time.

Ph.D. Students

The lab has openings for highly motivated Ph.D. students. Graduate students in the Listening Technology Lab are part of both the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Discovery Partners Institute.

• Students should have a strong background in signal processing and an interest in audio and/or hearing applications. Prior research experience and publications are very helpful.
• Students working on hearing-related projects should expect to collaborate with clinical researchers such as audiologists, perform research involving human subjects, and engage with the hearing loss community.
• Our students participate in DPI activities including industry engagement, community outreach, and education; they also have access to special DPI resources. Because of DPI’s emphasis on technology translation, students interested in entrepreneurship are especially encouraged to apply.

Interested students should reach out to Dr. Corey at corey1@uic.edu and include a resume. Be sure to mention the Listening Technology Lab and your interest in audio signal processing. Due to the large volume of requests, I will not be able to respond to every inquiry.

To learn more about the department and the admissions process, see ECE Graduate Programs.

Undergraduate Students

The lab has limited openings for undergraduate research students. Many of our research projects involve signal processing, so students should complete ECE 317: Digital Signal Processing as early as possible.

High School Students

The lab does not have openings for high school students at this time, but might in future years. Keep an eye out for opportunities through DPI’s educational programs.

ECE 491: Audio and Acoustic Signal Processing

Dr. Corey occasionally teaches a special topics class, ECE 491: Audio and Acoustic Signal Processing. The next iteration is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2025. It is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and will be helpful to students interested in audio-related research. Prerequisite: ECE 317.

• ECE Graduate Programs