Rooted in the Wisconsin Idea, the UW-Madison Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders employs best practices in inclusive excellence to engage in outreach activities that directly benefit professional colleagues, students, and individuals and their families in the community. A commitment to service and outreach is not only a major part of our mission, but it is also a passion of our students and faculty.
Our outreach includes audiology and speech language pathology services at little to no cost to the underserved, education and training to the public and other professionals, and hearing loss prevention programs for those at risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
Outreach Programs
Audiology Takes on Rural Noise
UWSHC audiologists and Au.D. students travel to rural Wisconsin each summer for a unique goal: to prevent hearing loss at the Tomah Truck and Tractor Pull. Tractor pulls are motorsports with powerful, modified engines, and they are LOUD!
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.
Support for Students with Learning Disabilities
UWSHC clinical faculty supervise a team of undergraduate and graduate student clinicians at Mansfield Hall. Mansfield Hall is an innovative college support program and living/learning community for college students with disabilities.
Out of Hospital Audiology Clinic
UWSHC audiologists and Au.D. students offer out of hospital audiology clinics for members of the Wisconsin Plain communities. 40% of children in these communities do not receive newborn hearing screenings.
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 performs the hearing and middle ear screenings for over 1,000 children who attend Reach Dane each year and provides speech and language screenings for children whose teachers have identified speech or language concerns.
UW Speech and Hearing Clinic Symposium
This annual event is a fun, educational program for the public about issues related to audiology and hearing. Symposium topics change each year, but the day always includes expert speakers and interactive break-out sessions.
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.