Hearing SUPPORT
The Hearing SUPPORT program increases research capacity by providing a validated, consumer-driven laboratory test protocol that can predict real world listening function for hearing aids on the market, both prescribed and over the counter, using a proprietary test battery.
HearUP
The HearUP program supports individuals in the community who cannot financially access assistance for their hearing problems. This includes individuals with significant hearing loss who are trying to find employment and recent immigrants who are trying to navigate their way in a new country and learn the language. The communication barriers that are caused by untreated hearing loss can prevent these individuals from fully participating in and contributing to our society.
LiDIA
Dr. Catherine Palmer, Director of Audiology for UPMC and Vice Chair of the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh, has developed a hearing screening and assistive device named LiDIA. This device is low-cost to produce and can help improve health outcomes by screening for and treating hearing loss in healthcare settings.
Mission of Mercy
The Mission of Mercy event is a two-day free health clinic held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh that provides free dental, vision, and hearing care for patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise lacking access to quality care.
THRIVE
The Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh are collaborating on a project called THRIVE: Treating HeaRing and Improving Vision: Education. Thanks to a grant from the Eden Hall Foundation, community health workers will be key to increasing access to care for vision and hearing.
Vocal Injury Prevention
The Vocal Injury Prevention (VIP) program was initiated by Dr. Chloe Santa Maria, MD, MPH, to educate and empower resident singers regarding vocal health and injury prevention, as well as to provide a targeted vocal health plan for each singer. It was developed for the resident artists of the Pittsburgh Opera to extend current support of the opera.
Vocal Outreach Program
The Vocal Outreach Program, led by Nichole Sommers, PA-C, provides education seminars to local high school and collegiate music programs, worship groups, and other professional voice users, like teachers. Each outreach includes an interactive presentation of vocal anatomy, physiology of phonation, common voice disorders, and prevention strategies to optimize vocal health. Additionally, team members introduce voice therapy techniques and host Q&A segments for personalized learning.
Voice Consortium - Hill
The laryngologists (voice-specialized Ear, Nose, and Throat physicians) and voice-specialized speech-language pathologists of the UPMC Voice, Airway, & Swallow Center have collaborated with clinicians, professors, and speech-language pathology graduate students within the Pitt Communication Science and Disorders (CSD) Department to form the Pittsburgh Voice Consortium (PVC). After great deliberation and consideration of community needs, the PVC and Hill CEC team have created a series of monthly vocal health outreach events and educational sessions.