Our Team
We are a proud, independent, local, small business making a world of a hearing difference. We are not manufacturer owned, which means we are free to help you choose what’s best for you with the widest variety of hearing aid options, with no sales pitches.
Preferred Audiology Care, LLC was established in September of 2009 and has a DBA name of Syracuse Hearing Solutions with new and improved services, in the same location. The practice is locally owned by Dr. Nicole Anzalone who has lived in the Syracuse area since 1995.
Dr. Nicole Anzalone, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA
“Doctor of Audiology and Owner of Syracuse Hearing Solutions”
Nicole received her Doctorate in Audiology in 2007 and holds a Master of Science Degree in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Syracuse University.
She is licensed to practice audiology and dispense hearing aids in New York State.
Her clinical expertise includes comprehensive audiological evaluations, including pediatric and geriatric populations, neuro-otologic auditory-evoked brainstem response testing, vestibular function testing, hearing aid fittings, hearing aid services, repairs, and computerized hearing aid verifications.
Hobbies include playing drums, steel drums, cake decorating, dancing, and spending time with family.
“2016 3rd Place Winner for Highest Practice Growth” granted at the Elite conference
Dr. Anna Fyalkowski, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Fyalkowski received her Doctorate in Audiology in 2021 from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She specializes in comprehensive audiological evaluations, cochlear implant programming, and hearing aid services, which include repairs, programming, verification and fitting.
When she’s not working in ears, she enjoys reading, gardening, biking, and spending time outdoors.
Dr. Katelyn (Kate) Witham, AuD
Dr. Katelyn Witham received their Doctorate of Audiology in 2022 from Gallaudet University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences from Indiana University. Dr. Witham specializes in comprehensive audiologic assessments, Auditory Processing Disorders, amplification, Hearing Assistive Technology, pediatrics, and adapting to differently-abled populations. They are proficient in American Sign Language, including audiologic clinical sign. Dr. Witham takes pride in helping patients/clients reach their communication goals.
When they’re not in the office, Dr. Witham enjoys hiking, foreign films, advocacy, and snuggling with their cat, Beverly.
Dr. Brena Brennan, AuD
Dr. Brena Brennan received her Doctorate of Audiology in 2022 from Syracuse University. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Dr. Brennan enjoys and specializes in adult and pediatric audiological evaluations, cerumen removal, tinnitus, and comprehensive hearing aid services including consultations, fitting hearing aids and verifying settings, repairs and programming. Accolades include 2021 recipient of the CNY Speech Language and Hearing Association scholarship and 2021 recipient of the American Academy of Audiology – Improving the Conversation Scholarship sponsored by CapTel from T-mobile.
When Dr. Brennan is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, her two dogs, watching sports and staying active.
Dr. Christine Linnenbach, AuD
Dr. Christine Linnenbach received her Doctorate in Audiology in 2022 from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2018. She studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland in the Fall of 2016. She enjoys and specializes in hearing aid consultations and fittings, hearing aid problem solving, comprehensive hearing evaluations, and vestibular evaluations.
In her free time, she enjoys baking, nature walks and spending time with loved ones.
Dr. Kristen Vieau, AuD
Dr. Kristen Vieau received her Doctorate in Audiology in 2022 from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from St. John Fisher College. She specializes in comprehensive audiological evaluations and hearing aid services, which include repairs, programming, verification, and fitting. She is looking forward to working with cochlear implants and vestibular testing.
When she’s not working in ears, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and attending Syracuse basketball games.
What To Expect On Your First Visit
It’s common for people to avoid addressing their hearing loss – sometimes it’s a matter of finances, while for other individuals it signifies that they are getting older. Yet many avoid seeing a hearing healthcare professional simply because they don’t know what to expect, and it can be intimidating to schedule a hearing evaluation without knowing what’s going to happen.
However, these evaluations are incredibly important and are quick, easy and painless. The team at Syracuse Hearing Solutions will walk you through each step of your appointment so that you feel relaxed and right at home. Combining the latest industry equipment with our years of experience, we work with you to diagnose hearing loss and create solutions that meet your specific needs.
Before Your First Appointment
Your first appointment with us is an important opportunity for us to get to know your needs, concerns, and hopes. Prior to seeing one of our specialists, you’ll be asked to complete a new patient intake form. On it, we’ll ask you to recall any injuries, trauma, or exposure to loud noises in your history. We’ll also ask for an overview of your medical history, including any medications you may be currently taking.
You’re more than welcome to bring in a loved one to your hearing evaluation with you. Hearing loss affects more than just the patient, and we’re happy to answer any questions that you or your family may have. Having support from a friend, partner, or family member can also be helpful as you choose the best treatment option for your needs.
Hearing Consultation: Reviewing Your Needs
We begin your hearing evaluation by getting to know you and your concerns. Together, we’ll review your information and discuss the challenges you’re experiencing. Understanding your history, current symptoms, and unique hearing needs for your lifestyle helps us determine the cause of, and solution for, any hearing issues we may uncover.
During the Hearing Evaluation
In most cases, it takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete a comprehensive hearing evaluation. Using a specialized tool called an otoscope, our professionals will physically examine the inside of your ears to ensure they are clear and healthy. If there is any type of blockage or abnormality, it can inform how we proceed with the rest of the visit. Something as minor as earwax build-up could be the cause of your hearing loss, so our team likes to carefully examine your ears before we begin testing your hearing.
Hearing Testing
Next comes a complete hearing test—designed to evaluate the thresholds (the volume and frequency limits) of sound that you’re able to hear. You’ll be asked to wear a pair of specialized headphones and indicate when you can clearly hear the various sounds emitted. These tests reveal the extent, type, and details of your unique hearing loss, if any is present at all. Since there are different types and degrees of hearing loss, each needs to be treated in a specific way.
The hearing evaluation may include any of the following tests:
- Air conduction testing
- Bone conduction testing
- Speech testing
- Tympanometry or acoustic immittance testing
- Speech in noise testing
Specialized audiological testing may also include:
- Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing
- Cochlear implant evaluations
- Bone anchored hearing aid evaluations
- Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) evaluations
Reviewing Your Results
Once we’ve completed your hearing test, we’ll review your results together. Your hearing test results come in the form of an audiogram, which is a chart that converts your hearing loss into measurable frequencies and volumes (called decibels). Audiograms enable us to see the type, pattern, and degree of your hearing loss. In addition, you will also see a percentage of how much normal conversational speech you can currently hear.
If our hearing evaluation detects a hearing loss, rest assured that there are many treatment options available these days. We have a full line of state-of-the-art hearing aid models available for every situation and every budget. We’ll walk you through all of them and answer any questions you have. Our goal is to give you information about all of your options, and we respect your priorities when it comes to which hearing aid might meet your needs best.
After Your Visit
Once you have purchased your hearing aid, we will review how to use them during a fitting appointment. This visit allows us to program your devices in a way that works best for you, but remember, it may take some time before you fully adjust to the plethora of sounds around you. We recommend taking a gradual approach while acclimating to your hearing aids, as this often produces the best results.The team at Syracuse Hearing Solutions is always just a phone call away and we encourage patients to contact us with questions. Along with follow-up visits and regular hearing evaluations, your visit with us is the first step toward a lifetime of healthy hearing!
