| What is an Audiologist? |
| Audiologists are specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing and balance problems, which have to do with the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear. They also assist in rehabilitative services for patients with hearing impairments, including the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments and assistive listening devices. |
Meet the Staff:
Dr. Randel is a certified and licensed doctor of audiology. She received her masters degree from the University of Connecticut in 1980 and then a doctorate in audiology from Arizona School for Health Sciences in 2000. Dr. Randel has been in practice since 1980 and serves the community in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and private practice in Margate, Florida. She is the director of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program at Northwest Medical Center and West Boca Medical Center and is the primary audiologist for the Broward County Early Intervention Program. She is originally from Queens, New York where she worked at Long Island Jewish medical Center for 6 years and has been in private practice in Margate, Florida since 1986.
Dr. Gillan received her Doctor of Audiology Degree from the University of Florida. She received her Masters degree in Audiology from Northwestern University. Diane graduated with her Bachelor’s degree, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Florida. She has been practicing Audiology since 1989 where she completed her clinical fellow at Shand’s teaching hospital at the University of Florida. Dr. Gillan has clinical experience as an audiologist in a wide range of settings including; hospital, otolaryngologist clinic, public schools, nursing homes and private practice. Diane has been in practice at Audiology Associates of South Florida since 1999. She is also a certified member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association. Dr Gillan is also certified by the state of Florida through Children’s Medical Services in Pediatric Audiology. Her areas of expertise include diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing disorders as well as dispensing digital hearing aids to the infant, child and adult populations.
Dr. Abbanat received her Masters Degree in Audiology from the University of South Florida and her Doctorate of Audiology from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. She has been practicing Audiology in South Florida since 1985. In addition she has obtained special certification from Emory University in treating Tinnitus and Hyperacusis with Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and is certified by Neuromonics for their tinnitus treatment program. Dr. Abbanat brings 25 years of experience working with hearing impaired adults to Audiology Associates of South Florida. She is uniquely qualified in all major hearing instrument systems including the new extended wear Lyric hearing aids and the new deep canal, invisible, Otolens.
Sarah Francis is originally from Madison, WI where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Audiology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She then went on to complete her clinical doctorate in audiology at the Arizona School of Health Sciences (1995). Dr. Francis holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association. She has been practicing audiology for 13 years and has been with Audiology Associates of South Florida since 2007. Dr. Francis has extensive experience in pediatric audiology, cochlear implants, adult and pediatric hearing aid fittings.
Dr. Lasky received her Doctor of Audiology Degree from the Salus University George S. Osborne College of Audiology. She received her Masters degree in Audiology from Hunter College NYC, and her Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has been practicing Audiology since 1986. Dr. Lasky has clinical experience as an audiologist in a wide range of settings including : manufacturer representative; hospital; university; and private practice. She is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association and the American Academy of Audiology. Her areas of expertise include diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing disorders as well as dispensing digital hearing aids to both pediatric and adult populations.
Dr. Rando received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida State University. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she received her Doctor of Audiology degree. Her areas of expertise include diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hearing disorders, vestibular and balance testing as well as dispensing digital hearing aids to both pediatric and adult populations. Dr. Rando is a certified member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, as well as being licensed by the state of Florida.
Linda was raised with an interest in helping the hearing impaired. Her father had a severe hearing loss due to military service and pursued a career as a Hearing Instrument Specialist. Through her father’s business, she became interested in amplification and had the desire to help others. She passed her examination for State of Florida, Hearing Aid Licensing in 1970. She is Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Science since 1993, and is a member of the International Hearing Society, and the Florida Society of Hearing Health Care Professionals.
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Michanne Abbanat, Au.D., CCC-A F-AAA
Sarah Francis, Au.D., CCC-A 
Brenda Lasky, Au.D., CCC-A 
Vanessa Rando, Au.D., CCC-A 
Linda Laurenzo Valovich, HAS,BC-HIS,ACA