In This Section

Audiology Department

Katarina Falero, Au.D.
Audiologist

Dr. Falero received her degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. She completed her final year of audiology externship at the University of Rochester, NY, where she refined her diagnostic skill set and broadened her experience with various types of amplification for adult and pediatric patients. She joined Connecticut, Ear, Nose & Throat, Sinus & Allergy Specialists, PC in 2023, where she sees patients in the Southbury and Waterbury offices. Her audiologic interests include hearing conservation, implantable devices, and auditory evoked responses. Dr. Falero enjoys taking an individualized approach to hearing aid fittings and aims to provide exceptional hearing healthcare for all individuals.

Shalva Trestman, Au.D.

Audiologist

Dr. Trestman graduated from Montclair State University with a doctorate in Audiology in 2020 and is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating patients, both pediatric and adult, in ENT and hospital settings. Her passion lies in adult diagnostics and rehabilitation. She is currently seeing patients in both the Southbury and Waterbury offices of Connecticut Ear, Nose & Throat, Sinus & Allergy Specialists, PC.

Alex Schiff, OTO-Tech

Alex Schiff received his certification as an otolaryngology technologist (OTO-tech) from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) in the Spring of 2024. He works closely with our physicians, APRN and audiologists to perform comprehensive audiometric testing, including threshold evaluation and speech recognition testing. Alex holds a B.S. in Biology, as well as a B.S. in Psychology with research concentration from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.

Alex is a lifelong Connecticut resident, and he hopes to soon attend medical school and return to the practice as a physician.

Summary of Services Provided

Complete Hearing Evaluations for all ages
Tympanometry and Reflex Testing
Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BSER)
Otoacoustic Emission Testing (OAE)
Hearing Aid Evaluation
Hearing Aid Dispensing
Digital and Programmable Hearing Aids
Custom Ear Swim Molds
Custom Hearing Protection Molds
Balance Evaluation with Video ENG and Posturography

Advanced Hearing Aid Services

Full line of hearing aids, specializing in digital hearing aid technology
Hearing aid accessories
Hearing aid repair services

What You Should Know About Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is prevalent; 1 out of 10 Americans have a hearing loss
Hearing loss that develops with aging usually occurs slowly, is gradually progressive, and is permanent.
Most hearing losses can be helped effectively by individually selected, prescribed and fitted hearing devices.
The vast majority of Americans with hearing loss have their hearing treated by hearing aids.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Difficulty hearing high pitched sounds, such as birds singing
Difficulty hearing or understanding at public gatherings: concert halls, theaters, houses of worship
Difficulty understanding conversations within a group of people, or on the telephone
Speech sounds loud enough, but appears mumbled.

Causes of Hearing Impairment

The natural aging process
Exposure to loud or constant noise
Inherited medical conditions
Illness
Traumatic injury
Ototoxic medications
Tumors