Rooted in the Wisconsin Idea, the UW–Madison Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders believes that education should extend beyond the classroom to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Guided by best practices in inclusive excellence, our students and faculty engage in outreach that supports individuals, families, professional colleagues, and communities across Wisconsin and beyond. Service and outreach are central to our mission. Our projects reflect the shared values and passions of our faculty and students.
Our outreach efforts include audiology and speech-language pathology services offered at little to no cost to individuals from medically underserved communities, education and training for the public and other professionals, and hearing loss prevention programs for individuals at risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
Together, these efforts create opportunities for our students to learn through service while expanding access to care, education, and resources that strengthen the health and well-being of our community and beyond.
Outreach Programs
Amina Grace Speech and Language Program at Gigi’s Playhouse
The UW Speech and Hearing Clinic and Gigi’s Playhouse of Madison have an established partnership in which graduate student clinicians have the opportunity to implement speech and language sessions with the Gigi's participants.
Dewane Neurorehabilitative Pro Bono Clinic
Our speech-language graduate students collaborate with UW physical and occupational therapy students to develop plans and co-treat underserved and/or under/uninsured patients who need physical, occupational and speech therapy interventions in neurological rehabilitation.
Hearing Aid Recycling Program (HARP)
The Hearing Aid Recycling Program (HARP) provides free or low-cost reconditioned behind-the-ear hearing aids, ear molds, and batteries to individuals with low-incomes. This program is supported by donations from the community.
Hearing Health Education and Outreach
UWSHC audiologists and Au.D. students participate in educational community outreach events each year. These events include campus sponsored events along with community sponsored festivals around the area.
Law Enforcement Outreach
SLP graduate students join clinical professors to collaborate with Wisconsin law enforcement officers in an effort to enhance both officer and SLP community services.
Listen Up UW
UWSHC audiologists and Au.D. students are passionate about healthy hearing habits! They have made it their mission to teach people how to have fun AND protect their hearing at noisy events.
Michele Tracy Eye and Ear MEDiC Clinic
UWSHC provides hearing health screenings to residents at the Porchlight housing site in downtown Madison. MEDiC is a student-run organization that leads six free health clinics throughout the Madison area. UW Au.D. students work alongside ophthalmology, medical, and pharmacy students to provide care and discuss cases.
Out of Hospital Audiology Clinic
UWSHC audiologists and Au.D. students offer out of hospital audiology clinics for members of the Wisconsin Plain communities.
Presentations and Training for Professionals
Clinical and academic faculty are frequently invited to give presentations locally as well as throughout the state and nation. Our team of clinician experts present on topics ranging from hearing health care to language disorders.
Reach Dane
UWSHC partners with Reach Dane’s Head Start program to provide hearing screenings for more than 500 children each year. Our clinicians and graduate students also conduct speech and language screenings for children whose teachers have identified communication concerns.
UW Speech and Hearing Clinic Virtual Symposium
This virtual event is a fun, educational program for the public about issues related to audiology and hearing.
Wisconsin Infant and Children’s Statewide Hearing Aid Exchange Service (WISHES)
The WISHES program provides hearing instruments for a six month period to newly identified deaf and hard of hearing children who are not Medicaid eligible and do not have other hearing aid insurance coverage.