Thursday, May 15
  7 p.m.—8 p.m. EDT (Toronto time)

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Patient:

Brittany Blanchard, HIS, ANAC Member (Hamilton, ON)

Brittany is a Hearing Instrument Specialist based in Hamilton, Ontario. She entered the hearing industry after being fitted with a CROS system following brain surgery—an experience that shaped both her personal and professional life.

Her journey began at age 25, when she noticed hearing loss in her left ear. After a hearing test, she was referred to an ENT and sent for an MRI, which revealed a 4.5 cm benign brain tumour pressing against her brainstem—approximately six months after first noticing the hearing loss. Surgery was the only viable option due to the tumour’s size.

As a result of the surgery, Brittany experienced complete deafness in her left ear, facial paralysis, tinnitus, and lost the ability to produce tears in her left eye. She has undergone approximately 12 eye surgeries to preserve her vision and continues to manage balance issues and dizziness—often describing life post-surgery as feeling like a funhouse with distorted mirrors. She manages her hearing with a CROS system and uses gel lubricant to protect her eye. These challenges ultimately led her to a career she is deeply passionate about.

Brittany is committed to helping others feel less alone in their acoustic neuroma journey and wants them to know: “Although this journey is extremely difficult, it’s not the end, and we can move on to do incredible things.”

Speaker: 

Dario Coletta, M.Sc., Au.D., Reg. CASLPO, Doctor of Audiology
Port Credit Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic (Mississauga, ON)

Dario Coletta is a Doctor of Audiology and the founder of Port Credit Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic in Mississauga, Ontario. He earned his Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from A.T. Still University, a Master of Science in Audiology from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. With a background that includes clinical experience at Toronto General Hospital and a former lecturer role in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Toronto, Dario brings a wealth of expertise to his practice.

His clinical interests encompass advanced diagnostics, personalized hearing aid fittings, tinnitus management, and hearing loss prevention. Dario is particularly passionate about helping individuals with single-sided hearing loss find tailored solutions that enhance their quality of life.