Pediatric Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss results from something blocking the sound conducting mechanism of the ear. This can be due to a buildup of earwax, fluid in the middle ear, a growth of tissue (cholesteatoma) or problems with the small hearing bones (ossicles). Treating conductive hearing loss can range from taking antibiotics to surgical intervention depending on the type and severity of the condition.

Sensorineural hearing loss is often considered permanent hearing loss because of nerve or inner ear damage caused by advanced age, continued exposure to loud noises, illness, ear trauma and more. Sensorineural hearing loss is typically addressed with hearing aids, but depending on the severity of your child's hearing loss, may treated through surgical or implantable devices, such as a cochlear implant.

Mixed hearing loss occurs when your child has hearing issues resulting from both conductive and sensorineural causes. With mixed hearing loss, there is typically a combination of issues that impact the outer, middle and/or inner ears.

Dr. Dixon is a pediatric audiologist specializing in diagnostic evaluations (including Auditory Evoked Potentials) and hearing loss interventions, such as hearing aids, osseointegrated devices, and cochlear implantation. She is the coordinator for the Newborn Hearing Program, and audiology coordinator for the Craniofacial/Cleft Lip and Palate team. Dr. Dixon received her Bachelor of Science degree at Florida State University, and her Doctorate of Audiology at Missouri State University. She completed her clinical externship at University of Chicago Medicine. Dr. Dixon provides audiology services at Hyde Park (Tuesday and Thursday) and Orland Park (Wednesday and Friday) locations.

Ali Marquess is a pediatric audiologist specializing in diagnostic evaluations (including Auditory Brainstem Response Evaluations) and interventions. Dr. Marquess received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Audiology from Indiana University Bloomington and her Doctorate of Audiology from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She completed her clinical externship here at University of Chicago Medicine. Dr. Marquess provides audiology services for the inpatient population.

Dr. Sevier is a cochlear implant audiologist and the clinical program manager of our hearing loss program. His clinical interests include cochlear implants and providing services via telepractice. He was formerly an assistant professor at a doctor of audiology program where he taught classes and supervised students in the department's cochlear implant program. Dr. Sevier has published numerous articles in peer-review journals and continues research of cochlear implants. He graduated with his Doctor of Audiology degree from Pacific University and completed his clinical fellowship training here at the University of Chicago Medicine. Dr. Sevier is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a Fellow at the American Academy of Audiology. 

Dr. Swail is a pediatric audiologist specializing in cochlear implantation and vestibular evaluation. She received her bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and she received her Doctorate of Audiology from Rush University. Dr. Swail completed her audiology externship at University of Chicago Medicine, and continues to be a contributing member of the Pediatric Hearing Loss Team.

Emily Trittschuh is a pediatric audiologist with special interests in inpatient and newborn hearing, electrophysiology, central auditory processing disorders, and amplification. She received her bachelor of science degree from Purdue University and her Doctorate of Audiology from Rush University in Chicago, IL. Dr. Trittschuh enjoys completing continuing education courses to provide the most up to date testing and recommendations for her pediatric patients.

Caitlin Egan, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with children with hearing loss. She has worked at UChicago Medicine and has been a member of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant and Hearing Loss Program since 2019. Her interests include providing comprehensive speech and language interventions in both spoken language and American Sign Language (ASL). She is currently working towards obtaining her credential as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist (LSLS Cert. AVT). Caitlin obtained her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Western Illinois University in 2014, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Illinois in 2012.

Michelle Havlik, MHS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVT is a licensed American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in listening and spoken language development in children with hearing loss. She has worked at UChicago Medicine and has been a member of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant and Hearing Loss Program since 2009. She became a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist (LSLS Cert. AVT) in 2014 and has been a credentialed Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator since 2007. She obtained her Master of Health Science degree in Communication Disorders from Governors State University in 2006 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Elmhurst College in 2001.