Audiology

Although the ear is a small part of the body, it can have a big impact on a child’s life. When a child has hearing difficulties, it can affect the development of his communication, academic and social skills. At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, our pediatric audiologists specialize in identifying hearing loss and designing treatment plans. They work alongside our pediatric-trained otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors, or ENTs) to provide comprehensive care to infants, children and teens.

What is audiology?

Audiology is the branch of medicine that is dedicated to the study of hearing.

What is a pediatric audiologist?

A pediatric audiologist, or hearing specialist, is a healthcare professional who works to identify, diagnose, manage and treat children with hearing loss and/or issues with balance.

• Hearing loss services: The Hearing Loss Program at Children’s is dedicated to meeting the needs of kids with hearing loss. Our audiologists, otolaryngologists and therapists offer a full range of audiology diagnostics and treatment services, including cochlear implants, to create comprehensive care for children.
• Speech-language evaluations: We routinely assess patients scheduled for speech-language evaluations to determine if hearing may be an underlying factor in a child’s speech and language difficulties.
• Auditory processing evaluations: We address problems related to recognizing and interpreting sounds. A child with auditory processing disorder has difficulty with how the brain processes, or hears, auditory information. This type of disorder may cause difficulties with listening, understanding speech and following directions. It is not a result of permanent hearing loss, attention difficulties or a developmental disorder. Children must be at least 7 years old for an auditory processing evaluation.
• Vestibular rehabilitation services: Our pediatric audiologists also provide vestibular rehabilitation services, including comprehensive evaluation and treatment, to identify and relieve symptoms of ear-related balance problems.

Pediatric audiologists

• Darby Hightower, AuD, Audiology Manager
• Lauren Obstarczyk, AuD, Audiology Clinical Supervisor
• Deedra Alford, AuD
• Jessica Alunni, AuD
• Laura Berdelman, AuD
• Caitlin Browder, AuD
• Amanda Cross, AuD
• Heather Garvey, MS
• Erin Gowen, AuD
• Hilary Haddad, AuD
• Erin Holman, AuD, Bone Conductor Device Lead
• Vicki Lynn, AuD
• Sue Malkin, AuD
• Molly Murdock, AuD
• Kelly Murphy, AuD, Cochlear Implant Lead
• Jennifer Reddaway, AuD
• Alexis Schultz, AuD
• Lauren Sewell, AuD
• Lauren Stott, AuD
• Sarah Waggoner, AuD

Children’s at North Druid Hills
1605 Chantilly Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

Children’s at Town Center Outpatient Care Center
605 Big Shanty Road NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Egleston Hospital
1405 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Medical Office Building at Scottish Rite Hospital
5461 Meridian Mark Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342

Scottish Rite Hospital
1001 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342