Dear Friends and Colleagues, August was a strong month for our Department, and this issue of Otovation captures work that spans discovery, clinical care, and the communities we serve. On the science […]
From the Chair, August 2026
hearing loss
Grant Aims to Close Hearing Health Gap for Individuals with IDD
The Pittsburgh Hearing Institute has received a $1,500,000 grant from the Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust to advance hearing health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grant […]
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Gene Therapies for Hearing Loss: Treating Defective Genes and Beyond
Christopher L. Cunningham, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Neurobiology and faculty member in the Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center (PHRC) is continually amazed at […]
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Gene Therapies for Hearing Loss
Chris Cunningham, PhD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, has made a lot of progress in preclinical work developing a gene therapy for congenital hearing loss associated with mutations […]
Expanding Access to Cochlear Implantation: Who is a Candidate Now?
Presenters Jillian Glasstetter, Aud, CCC-A, and Philip Perez, MD, were excited to talk about cochlear implants in the Eye & Ear Foundation’s October 31 webinar, “Expanding Access to Cochlear Implantation: […]
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Bringing Hearing Care to the Community: The Communication Van Initiative
Sight + Sound, Fall 2025 The Eye & Ear Foundation held a key exchange event on Tuesday, September 16th at the UPMC Mercy Pavilion, future home to the Hearing Institute. […]
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Innovations in the Management of Otitis Media
Peter L. Santa Maria’s clinical practice and research all involve otitis media. The MD, PhD with many titles, including Professor; Division Chief of Otology & Neurotology; Vice Chair of Translational […]
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Gift Honors an Enduring Commitment
S+S, Spring 2025 Diane Barati’s late parents generously supported the Eye & Ear Foundation. This motivated her to continue doing so in their memory to honor them. Diane’s parents both […]
Therapeutic Regeneration of Inner Ear Hair Cells
Two Assistant Professors in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery won a three-year $1,148,334 award from the Department of Defense for a project called “Developing Viral Strategies for Targeted […]
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Ear Reconstruction
One of the things that Dr. Noel Jabbour, MD, MS, FACS, is passionate about is developing solutions for people with congenital auricular deformities. The Director of the Congenital Ear Center […]
Virginia Montanez Discovers the Vision Institute
Virginia Montanez recently discovered the one-stop-shop ophthalmology jewel in Pittsburgh that is the Vision Institute at UPMC Mercy. Montanez is a familiar name in these parts. Known for her former […]
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Kamin Endowed Research Fund
The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh is honored to announce that Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin are supporting the new Pittsburgh Hearing Institute in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head […]
“From Research to Reality” Audiology Seminars
A series of early morning seminars is providing education for audiology students on cutting-edge topics while offering continuing education for faculty and clinical instructors. A joint initiative between Pitt and […]
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Adele Moatti Joins the Department
Creating effective drug delivery systems for the inner ear – essential for treating hearing loss – will be made more possible with the addition of Adele Moatti, PhD, to the […]
Restoring Hearing and Regenerating Hair Cells
Dr. Peter Santa Maria, MD, PhD, opened the Eye & Ear Foundation’s September 13th webinar, “Restoring Hearing and Regenerating Hair Cells” with a quote from Helen Keller: “Blindness separates people […]
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