About Us
Company History
The Speech and Hearing Center opened in 1981 as a department of Highline Community Hospital. Rebecca Grady started practicing audiology there in 1983. Eileen Freed came to the department in 1987 when Rebecca became department manager. The office was moved to its current Ambaum Boulevard location in 1990. In 2000, Rebecca and Eileen welcomed the opportunity to purchase the Hearing Center from the Hospital and formed Highline Audiology, P.C., a private audiology practice. Jennifer Vert signed on in 2003 with rave reviews from her professors and supervisors at Western Washington University. Andria Reid-Caro was recruited in 2007 as she was completing her degree in Hearing Instrument Technology at Bates Technical College. With more than 50 years combined experience, Rebecca, Eileen, Jennifer and Andria continue to provide the high quality hearing services that their clients have long depended on.
What Is an Audiologist?
Audiologists are professionals educated in the study of normal hearing processes and hearing loss and rehabilitation. An Audiologist has earned a masters or doctoral degree from an accredited university, and completed a post-university clinical fellowship. In the state of Washington, Audiologists are licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.
An Audiologist evaluates a patient to determine the presence of a hearing loss, the type and degree of the loss and how the patient can make best use of his remaining hearing. If a patient may benefit from the use of hearing aids or other assistive listening systems, the Audiologist oversees the selection, fitting and purchase of the most appropriate devices and training in using them effectively. The Audiologist may also provide auditory training programs to help patients develop more competence in understanding conversation in difficult listening situations.
What is a Hearing Aid Specialist?
A Hearing Aid Specialist evaluates a patient’s hearing to determine the need for hearing aids and uses those results to recommend the best type and style of aids for the individual. She fits and programs the aids, demonstrates their care and use, and helps the patient adjust to them.
In the State of Washington a hearing aid specialist is licensed by the Department of Health. As of 2003, a licensed hearing aid specialist must complete a minimum of a two-year degree program in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction through a program approved by the Board of Hearing and Speech. There are only two programs in the state which are accredited by the Board to provide this instruction.
Meet Our Staff
Rebecca Grady, MA, FAAA
Audiologist and Co-Owner
Rebecca earned her Masters degree in audiology from the University of Washington in 1982. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, a member of the Washington Society of Audiology.
Eileen Freed, MA, AAA
Audiologist and Co-Owner
Eileen earned her Masters degree in audiology from the University of Colorado in 1986. Eileen is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Washington Society of Audiology. She serves as a consultant for the local Hearing Loss Association chapter.
Jennifer Vert, AuD
Audiologist
Jennifer earned her Masters degree in audiology from Western Washington University in 2002, and her Doctor of Audiology from Salus University in 2008. Jennifer is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, and a member of the Washington Society of Audiology.
Andria Reid-Caro
Hearing Aid Specialist
Andria earned a Bachelors degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington in 2003. She completed the rigorous Hearing Instrument Technology career education program at Bates Technical College in 2007. Andria is a member of the Washington Hearing Society.
Shannon Bushong
Office Manager
Shannon has been our Office Manager since August 2004, with 20 years of medical office experience, she is an expert at working through insurance and billing concerns. She can also assist you with appointments, and arrangements for payment.
Gloria Turner
Office Assistant
Gloria will often be the first smiling face (or voice) you encounter at Highline Audiology. In addition to answering phones and greeting patients, Gloria demonstrates assistive listening devices to patients and assists the hearing professionals with basic hearing aid cleaning and maintenance.
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Andria Reid-Caro, Eileen Freed,