About Us
Empire Hearing by AudioNova East Syracuse is part of AudioNova, a global hearing health care provider with a nationwide network of convenient hearing care clinics in the US. We are open and accepting appointments for current and new customers.
From prevention, to care, to treatment, our hearing experts give you the confidence to take control of your hearing health care at all stages of the journey, through information, easy access, personalization, and pinnacle audiology experience. On top of clinic appointments, we are also offering curbside service and virtual hearing care options that allow our hearing experts to connect with you at home and just your hearing aids via a smartphone app.
Contact us today to book an appointment.
Audiology Services
Our hearing experts provide a wide range of hearing services from a staff of highly trained professionals.
Hearing Exams
We offer a comprehensive hearing exam to detect and diagnose levels of hearing loss.
Tinnitus Solutions
Our hearing experts can provide tools to manage tinnitus symptoms and get relief to those afflicted.
Hearing Aids
Get to know the latest features in hearing aid technology with in-person demonstration and product trials.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the Staff
- Anna Fyalkowski, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA"Anna Fyalkowski, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA, is a dedicated Doctor of Audiology at AudioNova in East Syracuse, NY. As a recent addition to the team, Anna brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for making a positive impact on her patients’ lives. With clinical specialties in working with children, cochlear implants, and hearing aids, Anna has been a clinical supervisor for students from local audiology programs, finding the experience incredibly rewarding. She holds memberships in both the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, accompanied by her Certificate of Clinical Competence. Anna’s journey into audiology began at Brooklyn College, where she graduated in 2017 with majors in communication sciences and disorders and psychology. She continued her education at Syracuse University, earning an Au.D. in Audiology. Driven by a deep desire to help people with various hearing-related challenges, including tinnitus, cochlear implants, and more, Anna is committed to assisting patients throughout their unique hearing journeys. Her favorite aspect of being a hearing care provider is the substantial positive impact she makes on her patients’ lives. Outside of work, Anna enjoys unwinding by watching Netflix, going on bike rides, attending movies, and indulging in a good read. On Sundays, she proudly supports the Cleveland Browns with her household. Having lived in the region for eight years, Anna is not just a healthcare professional, but a community member dedicated to enhancing the hearing health of those around her."
- Louis Billera, Au.D."Louis Billera, is a practicing Doctor of Audiology at AudioNova in Amherst, NY. He specializes in aural rehabilitation, diagnostic audiometry, hearing aid selection and fitting, and tinnitus retraining therapy. Dr. Billera earned his Audiology degree from Syracuse University in 2017 and is a current member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Dr. Billera is clinically skilled at working with patients of all ages, and his mission is always the same: to create measurable improvement in a patient’s day to day life. An externship with a Veteran hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, inspires his empathetic and enthusiastic approach to hearing care. “By equipping my patients with cutting-edge hearing and communication strategies, they can live their highest quality of life.” When he isn’t at work, Dr. Billera is likely traveling the world, watching a Buffalo sports game, or spending time with his fiancee, Jennie, and family. He enjoys eating his way through new destinations and learning about other cultures. His favorite sports teams are The Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Panthers. He also enjoys painting landscapes in his free time (like Bob Ross!)"
- Debra L. Sandbrook, BC-HIS"Debra Sandbrook, originally from North Eastern Pennsylvania, attended both East Stroudsburg University and Northampton College. She began her career in audiology in 1993 working as a Hearing Care Provider in a private Audiology practice in Kingston, NY. Debra received her New York State Hearing Instrument Dispenser registration in 1998 and her Board Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences in 2010. She is also certified as a New York State Hearing Aid Dispenser Instructor-Trainer, has been a team member in both Quality Assurance and Clinical Development programs and is currently serving on the Hearing Health, USA Clinical Advisory Board. She is a member of the International Hearing Society and Hearing Healthcare Alliance of NY. Debra finds working with the hard of hearing to be highly rewarding and is passionate about helping patients reconnect to life through better hearing."
- Kelly Thurber, B.S., HIS"Kelly Thurber currently works at AudioNova in Region 1 at the East Syracuse, NY clinic. Kelly is a Registered NYS Hearing Aid Dispenser and Hearing Healthcare Provider. Kelly provides hearing tests, education, and demonstrations of the latest hearing healthcare breakthroughs, while encouraging and empowering her patients to embrace their own journey to better hearing. She received her bachelor’s degree in Science/Health Services from Empire State University. She went through an intensive apprenticeship and obtained her New York State Registration in Hearing Aid Dispensing. She is a member of the International Hearing Society and The New York State Hearing Healthcare Alliance and holds the office of NYS Notary Public. Kelly began her career as a Patient Care Coordinator. After witnessing the impact on the lives of patients and their families, Kelly began her own journey to become a Hearing Healthcare Provider. Kelly went back to college full-time and worked full-time while apprenticing to obtain her NYS Hearing Aid Dispensing Registration. Kelly enjoys teaching and mentoring in her church as well as the community. She often speaks at women’s brunches on various topics to help encourage listeners in overcoming struggle and hardships. Kelly and her husband host a marriage radio talk show on their church radio station and Facebook live weekly. She was also a volunteer peer counselor for CareNet Pregnancy Center of CNY for several years. Kelly takes opportunities wherever a door opens to discuss the importance of baseline hearing screening and treatment for not only hearing, but brain health. Kelly is married to her high school sweetheart, Peter. She has four grown children and several grandchildren. She is an avid NASCAR and NFL fan and enjoys playing in a fantasy football league. Kelly loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren; often posting videos of herself reading children’s books so her grandchildren can have story time with Nana regularly. “One of my greatest joys is educating, encouraging, and empowering patients to overcome their hearing loss with their family members supporting them through the journey.”"
Anna Fyalkowski, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA
"Anna Fyalkowski, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA, is a dedicated Doctor of Audiology at AudioNova in East Syracuse, NY. As a recent addition to the team, Anna brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for making a positive impact on her patients’ lives.
With clinical specialties in working with children, cochlear implants, and hearing aids, Anna has been a clinical supervisor for students from local audiology programs, finding the experience incredibly rewarding. She holds memberships in both the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, accompanied by her Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Anna’s journey into audiology began at Brooklyn College, where she graduated in 2017 with majors in communication sciences and disorders and psychology. She continued her education at Syracuse University, earning an Au.D. in Audiology.
Driven by a deep desire to help people with various hearing-related challenges, including tinnitus, cochlear implants, and more, Anna is committed to assisting patients throughout their unique hearing journeys. Her favorite aspect of being a hearing care provider is the substantial positive impact she makes on her patients’ lives.
Outside of work, Anna enjoys unwinding by watching Netflix, going on bike rides, attending movies, and indulging in a good read. On Sundays, she proudly supports the Cleveland Browns with her household. Having lived in the region for eight years, Anna is not just a healthcare professional, but a community member dedicated to enhancing the hearing health of those around her."
Louis Billera, Au.D.
"Louis Billera, is a practicing Doctor of Audiology at AudioNova in Amherst, NY. He specializes in aural rehabilitation, diagnostic audiometry, hearing aid selection and fitting, and tinnitus retraining therapy. Dr. Billera earned his Audiology degree from Syracuse University in 2017 and is a current member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Dr. Billera is clinically skilled at working with patients of all ages, and his mission is always the same: to create measurable improvement in a patient’s day to day life. An externship with a Veteran hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, inspires his empathetic and enthusiastic approach to hearing care. “By equipping my patients with cutting-edge hearing and communication strategies, they can live their highest quality of life.”
When he isn’t at work, Dr. Billera is likely traveling the world, watching a Buffalo sports game, or spending time with his fiancee, Jennie, and family. He enjoys eating his way through new destinations and learning about other cultures. His favorite sports teams are The Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Panthers. He also enjoys painting landscapes in his free time (like Bob Ross!)"
Debra L. Sandbrook, BC-HIS
"Debra Sandbrook, originally from North Eastern Pennsylvania, attended both East Stroudsburg University and Northampton College. She began her career in audiology in 1993 working as a Hearing Care Provider in a private Audiology practice in Kingston, NY.
Debra received her New York State Hearing Instrument Dispenser registration in 1998 and her Board Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences in 2010. She is also certified as a New York State Hearing Aid Dispenser Instructor-Trainer, has been a team member in both Quality Assurance and Clinical Development programs and is currently serving on the Hearing Health, USA Clinical Advisory Board. She is a member of the International Hearing Society and Hearing Healthcare Alliance of NY.
Debra finds working with the hard of hearing to be highly rewarding and is passionate about helping patients reconnect to life through better hearing."
Kelly Thurber, B.S., HIS
"Kelly Thurber currently works at AudioNova in Region 1 at the East Syracuse, NY clinic.
Kelly is a Registered NYS Hearing Aid Dispenser and Hearing Healthcare Provider. Kelly provides hearing tests, education, and demonstrations of the latest hearing healthcare breakthroughs, while encouraging and empowering her patients to embrace their own journey to better hearing.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Science/Health Services from Empire State University. She went through an intensive apprenticeship and obtained her New York State Registration in Hearing Aid Dispensing. She is a member of the International Hearing Society and The New York State Hearing Healthcare Alliance and holds the office of NYS Notary Public.
Kelly began her career as a Patient Care Coordinator. After witnessing the impact on the lives of patients and their families, Kelly began her own journey to become a Hearing Healthcare Provider. Kelly went back to college full-time and worked full-time while apprenticing to obtain her NYS Hearing Aid Dispensing Registration.
Kelly enjoys teaching and mentoring in her church as well as the community. She often speaks at women’s brunches on various topics to help encourage listeners in overcoming struggle and hardships. Kelly and her husband host a marriage radio talk show on their church radio station and Facebook live weekly. She was also a volunteer peer counselor for CareNet Pregnancy Center of CNY for several years. Kelly takes opportunities wherever a door opens to discuss the importance of baseline hearing screening and treatment for not only hearing, but brain health.
Kelly is married to her high school sweetheart, Peter. She has four grown children and several grandchildren. She is an avid NASCAR and NFL fan and enjoys playing in a fantasy football league. Kelly loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren; often posting videos of herself reading children’s books so her grandchildren can have story time with Nana regularly.
“One of my greatest joys is educating, encouraging, and empowering patients to overcome their hearing loss with their family members supporting them through the journey.”"
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