Katie Colella, Au.D., CCC-A
Woodridge,IL
Summary
Versatile audiologist experienced in clinical and educational settings, seeking to shift focus towards full-time clinical education development.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Coordinator of Audiology
Lurie Children's
Chicago, IL
12.2024 - Current
- Served as clinical resource for staff, overseeing clinical protocols and ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Facilitates and assists in educational meetings, trainings, annually required department clinical competency
- Identified and implemented effective clinical resources for mentoring staff and students.
- Stays current on emerging patient care technologies, treatments, protocols and best practices in order to serve as a clinical role model
- Supported staff in resolving clinical problems, enhancing overall patient care quality.
- Coordinated annual application process for Audiology Externs Audiology Extern application and interview process; maintains support and mentorship for primary preceptors throughout a student's rotation
- Maintains a 50% clinical case load, performing all patient care activity and job functions required of an Audiologist II
Pediatric Audiologist II
Lurie Children's
Chicago, IL
07.2016 - 12.2024
- Provided behavioral and electrophysiology assessments for diverse pediatric population in outpatient and inpatient settings
- Recommends and manages amplifications for pediatric patients, including hearing aids, bone conduction devices, and assistive listening devices
- Developed and implemented department protocols and procedures to enhance service delivery
- Supervises and mentors new Audiology hires, Audiology externs, and graduate students
- Launched podcast Amplified: Presented by Lurie Children's to educate and engage community on pediatric audiology
- Developed a self-study continuing education opportunity Towards Cultural Humility: The Black American Experience
Pediatric Audiologist
C. S. Mott Children's Hospital
Ann Arbor, MI
06.2012 - 07.2016
- Provided audiological assessments and interventions for diverse pediatric population, enhancing early detection of hearing issues
- Recommended and fitted pediatric amplification devices, improving auditory access for children
- Coordinated and guided Audiology graduate student rotations, fostering practical learning and professional development
Adjunct Professor
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
01.2015 - 08.2015
- Taught two semesters of Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation for undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders majors
- Developed and presented lesson plans, graded assignments, and arranged guest speakers, fostering an engaging learning environment and supporting student success
- Evaluated student assignments and provided constructive feedback on performance.
Education
Doctor of Audiology - Audiology
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05-2012
Bachelor of Science - Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05-2008
Skills
- Audiology case management
- Protocol development
- Clinical instruction
- Clinical training facilitation
- Curriculum development
- Staff mentorship
- Process improvement
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Patient advocacy
- Problem solving
- Adaptability to change
- Leadership skills
Certification
- Facilitator, Navigating Difficult Conversations 2026
- Illinois Board of Audiology License #147001588 2016-Present
- American Academy of Audiology 2015-Present
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2012-Present
- Writing in the Sciences Certification, Stanford University 2020
Publications
- Colella, K. M., Young, N. M., Ringger, J. (2026). Hearing Aids in Children. In M. A. Arriaga, R. M. Rosenfeld, & C. de Souza (Eds.), Pediatric Hearing Loss. Springer Cham.
- Colella, K. M. & Farnsworth, K. (Writer, Co-host, Editor). (2022-present). Amplified: Presented by Lurie Children's. https://luriechildrens.org/amplified
- Colella, K. M. & Pak, S. (Co-creators and moderators). (2022-present) Towards Cultural Humility: The Black American Experience. Four-part CEU self-study series.
- Gaeta, L., Colella, K. M., Friedland, E., & Hudson, M. (2021) Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Patients in Audiology Part 2: Promoting Health Literacy. The Hearing Journal, 74(5), 42-44.
- Colella, K. M., Friedland, E., & Gaeta, L. (2021) Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Patients in Audiology Part 1: Avoiding Microaggressions. The Hearing Journal, 74(4), 30-31.
- Colella, K. M. & Pain, N. (2020). Pediatric Hearing Loss Effects Are Anything But 'Mild' During COVID-19. The ASHA LeaderLive, August-September 2020, Retrieved from https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/leader.AEA.25082020.20/full/
- Colella, K. M., Laura, G., Friedland, E., Hudson, M. A., & Busacco, D. (2020). Being Mindful of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Everyday Practice. Audiology Today, 32(4), 28-33.
- Colella, K. M. (2019). Making Hearing Aid Referrals is a Two-Way Street, Not a Corner. ASHA Leader, 24(12), 20-21.
- Boxer, Z. & Colella, K. M. (2019). Hearing Loss in Children. Child's Doctor, May 31, 2019, Retrieved from http://luriechildrens.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=141179
- Colella, K. M. (2019). Partners in Crime for Speech Delay. ASHA Leader, 24(1), 44-49.
- Alexander, J. M. & Masterson, K. M. (2015) Effects of WDRC Release Time and Number of Channels on Output and Speech Recognition. Ear & Hearing, 36, e35-e49.
- Colella, K. M. (2026, April 22). Utilizing Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential Testing in Pediatrics. [Pediatric Grand Rounds]. Presented for the American Academy of Audiology (AAA).
- Colella, K. M. & Farnsworth, K. (2024, January 26). Engaging Families about Childhood Hearing Loss through Podcasting. Presentation for the Illinois Academy of Audiology (ILAA).
- Colella, K. M. & Farnsworth, K. (2024, January 25). Using Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials for Unique Pediatric Populations. Presentation for the Illinois Academy of Audiology (ILAA).
- Colella, K. M. & Farnsworth, K. (2023, March 8). Engaging Families about Childhood Hearing Loss through Podcasting. Virtual Presentation for the Illinois Developmental Therapy Association (IDTA).
- Colella, K. M. & Farnsworth, K. (2023, March 4). Audiology Adventure in Podcasting. Presentation at the Illinois Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ITDHH), Naperville, IL.
- Friedland, E., Colella, K. M. & Pak, S. (2022, October 24) Join the Discussion: Moving from Microaggressions to Cultural Humility A Critical Discussion for Audiology Part 4 of 4 Integrating a Framework of Cultural Humility. [Panel Member] Virtual presentation for the American Academy of Audiology (now available on AudiologyOnline).
- Colella, K. M. (2022, October 14). Audiology Adventures in Podcasting. Presentation at the Michigan Audiology Coalition, East Lansing, MI.
- Abdelhakiem, A. K., Colella, K. M., Friedland, E., & Lazarus, L. (2022, April 27). Moving from Microaggressions to Cultural Humility - A Critical Discussion for Audiology (Part 1 of 4). [Panel Member] Virtual presentation for the American Academy of Audiology.
- Colella, K. M. & Cortese, K. (2022, April 1). Transitioning Kids from Behind-the-ear to Receiver-in-canal Hearing Aids Successfully. Presentation at the American Academy of Audiology Annual Conference, St Louis, MO.
- American Academy of Audiology Virtual Clinical Education Forum. (2021, April 26). Pivoting Clinical Education in and Beyond the Pandemic. [Coordinator and Alternate Facilitator] https://eaudiology.audiology.org/products/pivoting-clinical-education-in-and-beyond-the-pandemic-01-aaatier-1-ceus
- Colella, K. M. et al. (2020, April 1-4). Being Mindful of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Everyday Practice [Poster session]. Virtual presentation for the American Academy of Audiology Annual Conference.
- Colella, K. M., Cortese, K., Holden, K., & Pain, N. (2019). Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) in the Inpatient Setting. Presentation at the Annual Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference, Chicago, IL.
- Colella, K. M. & Boxer, Z. (2018). Audiology in the Inpatient Setting: More than the Newborn Hearing Screening. Presentation at Lurie Children's APN Grand Rounds, Chicago, IL.
- Colella, K. M. (2017). The Benefit of Remote Microphone (RM) Systems for Hearing Impaired Infants and Toddlers. Poster Presentation at AudiologyNOW!, Indianapolis, IN.
- Masterson, K. M. (2016). Auditory Neuropathy: Beyond the Diagnosis. Pediatric Grand Rounds Presentation at the Michigan Audiology Coalition Conference, Lansing, MI.
- Masterson, K. M. (2015). From Per ENT to HAE: Pulling the Trigger on Conductive Hearing Loss. Pediatric Grand Rounds Presentation at the Michigan Audiology Coalition Conference, Lansing, MI.
National Involvement
Joint Commission on Infant Hearing (JCJH)
- Appointed as representative for AAA since March 2024
- Collaborating on updated mission statement and best-practice guidelines
American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
- Guidelines and Strategic Documents Committee | October 2022 Present
- Academic Programs Committee | July 2015 to September 2022
- Podium Committee | 2015
American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Early Career Professional Review Team | 2018
- Topic Committee Reviewer: Global Issues & Practices Across the Discipline | 2014
- Leadership Development Program for Early Career Professionals | May 2013 March 2014
Timeline
Clinical Coordinator of Audiology
Lurie Children's
12.2024 - Current
Pediatric Audiologist II
Lurie Children's
07.2016 - 12.2024
Adjunct Professor
Wayne State University
01.2015 - 08.2015
Pediatric Audiologist
C. S. Mott Children's Hospital
06.2012 - 07.2016
Doctor of Audiology - Audiology
Purdue University
Bachelor of Science - Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Purdue University