HEAR-UP, initiated in 2016 by former Fellow Rachel Fryatt, has been successfully providing accessible hearing healthcare to underserved populations in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas for the past eight years. The project offers free services, including hearing evaluations, hearing aids, fittings, and ongoing follow-up care, filling a gap in audiologic services.
Kaylee and Mary will continue services at Birmingham Free Clinic, Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh, and Squirrel Hill Health Center in Brentwood. They also plan to expand services and improve patient outcomes by developing a follow-up care system that includes phone calls to reach out to patients regarding their use of hearing aids. This proactive approach will enable Kaylee and Mary to identify patients who are successfully using their hearing aids, thereby eliminating the need for them to attend scheduled follow-up appointments. As a result, this will free up appointment slots for other patients who need them, while ensuring that HEAR-UP maintains and improves the quality of care provided.
