Communication Van

12/30/2025

🚐💙 The Communication Van: Bringing Care and Connection to Our Community 💙🚐

The Communication Van plays a vital role in reaching individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to care. By bringing essential hearing, speech, and communication services directly into the community, the van helps ensure access, equity, and early support where it’s needed most.

From screenings and education to outreach and referrals, the Communication Van strengthens connections, supports communication health, and empowers individuals to engage more fully in their daily lives. Its presence in the community reflects a commitment to meeting people where they are and making a meaningful difference—one conversation at a time.

Together, we are building healthier, more connected communities.

12/12/2025

🧠🔊 Did you know untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline?
The evidence is growing — and it’s too important to ignore.

“Numerous studies now show a clear association between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline,” says Catherine Palmer, PhD, Director of Audiology and Chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh.

👉 Your hearing health is brain health.
Read more here: Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Hearing loss in older adults is linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk; early screening and timely hearing interventions are recommended.

11/20/2025

Big news for Audiology at Pitt OTOHNS! 🎉

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette spotlights the Audiology division and the launch of the new clEARdashboard — Consumer Led Evidence Amplification Resource.

This innovative tool uses a “choose-your-own-adventure” style experience, guiding users through questions based on their preferences and connecting them with hearing products that best fit their needs.

“Our goal was really to create another pathway and increase access to hearing care,” says Dr. Catherine Palmer.

Explore the story ➡️

University of Pittsburgh Department of Otolaryngology Eye & Ear Institute, Suite 500 203 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

11/13/2025

The Pitt/UPMC Communication Van is on the move!

This fall, the new Communication Van has been rolling across Pittsburgh, bringing hearing care directly to the community — and serving as a mobile research lab for University of Pittsburgh investigators.

By taking research out of the lab and into neighborhoods, the team is reaching people who are often left out of traditional studies — those facing transportation barriers, limited insurance, mobility challenges, or demanding schedules.

This community-based approach is helping make hearing-health science more inclusive and accessible than ever before.

🔗 Read the full story from Pitt School of Health: https://www.health.pitt.edu/news/taking-speech-and-hearing-health-road
Pitt School of Medicine

By Ashley Parker Photography by Rayni Shiring, University of Pittsburgh This fall, the new Pitt/UPMC Communication Van has been all over the city providing hearing care to the community. The van also functions as a community-based mobile laboratory, allowing University of Pittsburgh investigators to...

10/31/2025

Breaking down barriers to hearing care

Hearing health impacts so much more than sound. It supports how we connect, learn, work, and thrive—influencing everything from social interaction and communication to mental health, independence, and cognition.

Yet for far too many people, access to hearing care remains out of reach due to cost, stigma, and lack of awareness.

That’s why the HearUP program was created—to open the door to hearing health for everyone. Through outreach, education, and support, HearUP works to make hearing care accessible, affordable, and equitable for all members of our community.

Learn how you can get involved and help change the conversation around hearing health 👉 www.eyeandear.org/hearup/

Breaking Down Barriers to Hearing Care Hearing Health supports communication, social interaction, independence, access to education and employment, mental health, and cognition. Yet for too many, access to hearing care [...]Read More... from HearUP

10/06/2025

🌟 Communication Van Recognition! 🌟

We’re proud to announce that our Communication Van was recently highlighted for its participation in the hearing event held this past September at the City Theater in Southside! 🎧🚐

This event was an amazing opportunity to engage with the community and provide vital hearing resources.

To learn more about this initiative and its impact, check out the feature in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. 📰

A big thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success!
https://www.otolaryngology.pitt.edu/news

09/17/2025

🎉 Official Launch at Pitt! 🎉

The Pitt School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, & University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences are proud to announce the official launch of the Communication Van — a first-of-its-kind mobile clinic and research lab dedicated to hearing, speech, language, and voice conditions.

Thanks to the generosity of the Brother's Brother Foundation, this innovative van will bring early detection, treatment, and research directly to communities — from schools and senior residences to neighborhood centers and local events.

This launch marks an important step forward in breaking down barriers to care and ensuring that more children, adults, and older adults can access the evaluations and support they need to live fuller, healthier lives.

🚐💙 Pitt is on the move — bringing care, research, and hope straight to the community.

08/26/2025

👂💡 Ever wonder how hearing aids actually work?
These tiny devices don’t just make things louder—they make them clearer.
Watch to see how they help the ear and brain team up so you can truly hear again. 🎥👇

08/26/2025

🚐✨ Welcome to the Communication Van! ✨👂

We’re hitting the road to bring hearing care directly to the communities that need it most. The Communication Van is a fully equipped mobile clinic offering hearing screenings, resources, and support—because access to care should never be out of reach.

From neighborhood centers to community events, we’re here to meet you where you are. Stay tuned for updates on where the van will be next, and join us in breaking down barriers to better hearing health. 💙