Comprehensive Audiology Services at UCLA Health Westwood

UCLA Health Westwood Audiology offers a wide spectrum of audiology care, from newborn hearing screenings to advanced treatments for adults. With a dedicated team of experts, state-of-the-art technology, and a patient-centered approach, UCLA Health is committed to delivering outstanding care to individuals of all ages with hearing loss.

Why Choose UCLA Health for Audiology Services?

UCLA Health stands out for its commitment to delivering quality, accessible care. Interpreters are available for nearly every non-English language, and remote visits are offered for select services. As leaders in audiology, the experts at UCLA Health deliver outstanding care to babies, children, and adults with hearing loss. Patients receive tailored audiology testing, diagnostic evaluations, and treatments, as well as world-class care from a dedicated team.

Coordination and Teamwork

To streamline care and deliver comprehensive treatments, the audiology doctors and professionals at UCLA Health communicate with experts across departments. They work closely with otologists, pediatricians, and primary care doctors to provide individualized care.

Expertise in Cochlear Implants

UCLA Health's cochlear implant program is one of the largest in California. Since 1997, they have provided implants to hundreds of infants, children, and adults of all ages. Specialists across the nation recognize them as experts in cochlear implant surgery and care.

Patient-Centered Care

As partners in healthcare, the team at UCLA Health is dedicated to finding the treatments that work best for each patient. They customize each treatment plan specifically for the individual.

Wide Range of Options

UCLA Health offers one of the most comprehensive selections of hearing aids available. Patients can choose from many different manufacturers, types, and features, at all price points. The experts explain each option and work with patients to find the one that suits their budget, lifestyle, and needs. UCLA Health also offers a range of programs and services, from hearing-loss prevention to education and support.

Audiology Services Offered

UCLA Health audiologists offer the full spectrum of care, from screening and hearing-loss prevention to treatments and support. Their audiology professionals care for newborns, children, and adults of all ages, focusing on early intervention and tailored treatments to ensure the best possible outcome.

Newborn Hearing Screenings and Treatments

UCLA Health offers comprehensive hearing care for newborns and infants. If a follow-up appointment is necessary, they provide further evaluation and diagnosis. Their experts work seamlessly with each baby’s primary care physician, as well as specialists in genetics, otology, and speech pathology, to deliver thorough care. They are highly skilled at providing customized treatments for their youngest patients.

The team works with the child and their entire family to help them get the most out of treatments and to support them along the way. Through education and family counseling, they teach families how to use their child’s hearing devices and/or assistive listening devices. They also work with families to encourage their child’s speech and language development, improve their communication skills, and help them reach important milestones. Rebecca Belay Gebremichael, Au.D., is the Newborn Hearing Screening Program Coordinator.

Evaluations and Treatments for Children

The audiologists at UCLA Health specialize in helping children with chronic ear infections, speech delays, and hearing loss from a wide range of causes. They deliver effective treatments and adjust as children grow and their needs change. The team works with the child’s developmental pediatrician and speech pathologist to deliver outstanding care. Denise Kidd-Conover, AuD, has special interests in pediatric diagnostics and rehabilitation, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. Samantha McKinney, AuD, also has special interests in pediatric diagnostics and rehabilitation, including hearing aids and cochlear implants.

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Advanced Care for Teenagers and Adults

UCLA Health conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine the extent of hearing loss and the cause. Their audiology experts offer the latest treatments, including digital hearing aids and cochlear implants. Patients receive effective treatments and support in a compassionate environment. Liz Agboola, AuD, is a Senior Audiologist with a special interest in cochlear implants.

Preventive Care

UCLA Health focuses on early intervention and prevention. Their experts provide consultations and customized prevention plans for children and adults at a higher risk of hearing loss. They have extensive experience working with musicians and people who work in noisy environments, offering education, awareness, and custom-made ear plugs to help prevent hearing loss and deafness.

Hearing Loss Conditions Treated

More than 37 million adults in the United States have some difficulty hearing, and about 3 in 1,000 babies are born with hearing loss. UCLA Health audiologists have experience treating hearing loss that results from a wide range of causes, including:

Chronic ear infections in children
Congenital (present at birth) hearing loss, which is the most common childhood congenital disorder
Craniofacial disorders, including Treacher Collins syndrome
Genetic disorders, such as Waardenburg syndrome
Infection and illness, such as Meniere’s disease
Noise exposure
Normal aging process
Trauma and damage to the ear

Hearing Loss Treatments Offered

UCLA Health audiology experts individualize each treatment to fit the patient's needs. They carefully consider age, lifestyle, and goals, and work closely with the patient and their family to determine the best plan. In addition to treatments, they educate patients and their families about hearing loss and conditions that affect hearing, supporting them throughout their treatment at UCLA Health.

Hearing Aids

UCLA Audiology Clinic dispenses professionally fit hearing aids from the top manufacturers in the hearing industry. These include digital, wireless, and rechargeable hearing aids with additional features such as connectivity and streaming. An individual consultation is provided for all patients to assist in selecting appropriate devices. Evidence-based practice is used to program hearing aids to optimize speech intelligibility. Jade Kwan, AuD, has presented research on over-the-counter hearing devices at professional conferences.

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Cochlear Implants

A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device that stimulates nerves in the ear to restore hearing. UCLA Health audiologists work closely with head and neck surgeons before, during, and after surgery. Prior to surgery, they meet with the patient to review their needs, discuss their goals, and decide on the most appropriate type of implant to use. Wendy Ayala has been the Cochlear Implant Coordinator since 2019, working closely with patients and their families as they maneuver through their cochlear implant journeys.

After the surgeon places the implant during an outpatient procedure, the experienced audiologists turn on, or activate, the implant. They program the implant and adjust the sound during an interactive process called “mapping.” During this process, they use the patient’s (or the child’s) feedback to optimize the implant’s effectiveness and allow them to hear a range of sounds.

UCLA Health has experience delivering cochlear implants to patients of all ages, from under age 1 to 100 years. Many patients have a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other. Advanced technology allows the two devices to communicate with each other, improving the overall hearing experience.

Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems

For some people, a hearing aid or cochlear implant may not be an option. As leaders in audiology, UCLA Health specializes in bone-anchored hearing systems. These devices can help children and adults with ear malformations or deafness in only one ear.

Bone-anchored hearing systems help the patient hear by sending a vibration to the inner ear through the skull. UCLA Health offers bone-anchored devices that can be worn with a headband, and they also implant the devices surgically.

Aural Rehabilitation

UCLA Health’s aural rehab helps people with all types of devices hear better and interpret sounds more effectively. Their experts offer several programs that train the brain to hear with a new device, such as a cochlear implant. These programs teach the brain how to use the auditory information it’s receiving. It takes time to learn how to hear with these devices, and the experts are by the patient's side to ensure that they’re getting the most out of their hearing-loss treatments.

Audiologic Counseling

UCLA Health audiologists educate, empower, and support patients and their families. Their comprehensive approach to care includes classes, workshops, and information sessions. They also connect patients with other resources, including teachers of the deaf. Through support groups, patients and their families can learn from others and share their experiences. They provide:

Education and awareness about accessing available treatments and services
Strategies and skills to help people with hearing loss communicate with hearing people
Tips to enhance the effectiveness of hearing aids, cochlear implants, or bone-anchored devices and become accustomed to them more quickly
Ways to cope with hearing loss

Meet the Team

UCLA Health's expert team of audiology professionals includes audiologists who specialize in the latest treatments for hearing loss. They work closely with otologists, developmental pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, and head and neck surgeons to deliver tailored, comprehensive care.

Key Audiology Team Members:

Gina Gracia, AuD: Audiology Manager, joined UCLA Audiology Clinic in 1999.
Rose Levi: Operations Manager for Audiology & Speech Clinic, has worked with the Audiology and Speech Clinic since 2001 and joined UCLA in 1998.
Christine Malikian: Process Manager, received her graduate degree in Healthcare Administration.
Liz Agboola, AuD: Senior Audiologist with a special interest in cochlear implants.
Wendy Ayala: Cochlear Implant Coordinator since 2019.
Rebecca Belay Gebremichael, Au.D.: Senior Audiologist, Newborn Hearing Screening Program Coordinator.
Arineh Khachatoorians, AuD: Senior Audiologist with a diverse background in diagnostic and rehabilitation Audiology.
Denise Kidd-Conover, AuD: Senior Audiologist, with special interests in pediatric and adult diagnostics as well as pediatric and adult rehabilitation, including hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Jade Kwan, AuD: Senior Audiologist.
Samantha McKinney, AuD: Senior Audiologist, has special interests in pediatric and adult diagnostics and rehabilitation, including hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Rachael Salin, AuD: Senior Audiologist.
Danielle Snodgrass, AuD: Senior Audiologist, has been practicing at UCLA Audiology Clinic since 2007.
Maureen Virts, AuD: Senior Audiologist, has an extensive background in the field of audiology.

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