Jeff Searl

Jeff Searl is a Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University (MSU), within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Previously, he held faculty roles at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Hearing and Speech Department and the Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Department. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.

His research focuses on understanding how chemoradiation and surgery for head and neck cancers affect speech and voice production. The goal is to develop clinical practices that preserve or rehabilitate communication for patients post-treatment. His methods include physiological, acoustic, and auditory-perceptual measurements. Key emphases include optimizing communication while balancing speech intelligibility, physical/cognitive effort, and associated fatigue.

Recent work addresses pandemic impacts on laryngectomy patients, clinician practices during crises, and vocal effort measurement across cultures. His lab investigates articulatory pressures, tracheoesophageal speech dynamics, and dysphagia treatment innovations. Though no specific awards are listed, his contributions to voice rehabilitation and clinical methodologies are significant.

Dr. Searl advises on telemedicine applications for Parkinson’s voice therapy, group therapy feasibility, and alaryngeal communication modalities. His lab at MSU collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving speech-language pathologists, engineers, and oncologists to advance communication restoration technologies.