BEST LIFE HEARING CENTER: OUR STORY
Dr. Micacci and her mother, Rita
“My mother passed away from pancreatic cancer in September 2018. Prior to her diagnosis, she was a healthy 68-year-old living her longtime dream of retiring to Cape Cod. When it became clear that she would lose her short five-month battle with this awful disease, my sisters and aunts gathered around her for her final weeks. During this time, I realized that life is short and started to imagine how I wanted to live the rest of mine in a way that would honor her memory. I decided it was time for me to open my own practice as I had always wanted to do. She was my strength, my role model, and my cheerleader. She would be proud.
I opened Best Life Hearing Center to help improve people’s lives through better hearing and to leave a positive impact. I named the practice Best Life Hearing Center for two reasons:
- I believe better hearing leads to a better life through improved communication, and
- this practice is a way for me to live my best life, a way I can serve and make an impact on others.”
-Jennifer Micacci, Au.D.
MEET OUR TEAM
Jennifer Micacci, Au.D.
Owner | Audiologist
Jennifer Micacci, Au.D., is a Doctor of Audiology and the founder of Best Life Hearing Center. She has been practicing for over 20 years and has worked in both Ear, Nose, Throat and private practice settings. She earned her Master of Science degree in Audiology from Southern Connecticut State University and her Doctorate of Audiology from A.T. Still University School of Health Sciences. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. She is currently serving as the Vice President for Educational Affairs for the Connecticut Academy of Audiology.
Paige Porrello, Au.D.
Audiologist
Dr. Paige Porrello has been practicing audiology for over 20 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She earned her master’s degree in audiology from Memphis State University in 1994. She holds a doctoral degree in audiology from the Arizona School of Health Sciences, a division of the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. Dr. Porrello is licensed to practice audiology in Connecticut, and she is a founding member of the Connecticut Academy of Audiology.
Dr. Porrello started her career working in otolaryngology offices as a clinical audiologist, and she started her work at The Hearing Center (now Best Life Hearing Center) in 2004. Dr. Porrello’s goal is to treat each patient as family and provide them with the most accurate diagnosis and appropriate amplification to help them hear as well as possible. Dr. Porrello is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and has a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association
When not in the office, Dr. Porrello enjoys spending time with her husband, Stephen, and being a “hockey mom” to her son, Nicholas, and her daughter, Katie.
Ali Burgess, Au.D., CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
Ali Burgess, Au.D., is the newest member of the Best Life Hearing Center team, moving from Virginia with her husband and Fox Red Lab, Luda. She earned her B.A. in Communication Disorders at The University of Connecticut in 2012 and completed her Doctorate of Audiology at Bloomsburg University in 2016. Dr. Burgess holds both a license in Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing in the states of New York, New Jersey, Virginia and now Connecticut!
Prior to joining Best Life Hearing Center in July 2023, she worked at several ENT practices before making the switch into private practice. Dr. Burgess has extensive experience working with pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations in all areas of diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology. She has special interests in fitting advanced hearing aid technology and evaluations of dizziness and balance disorders.
In her free time, you will find her exploring her new home town of Glastonbury, testing out the local restaurants, chasing Luda around a park, or relaxing by some body of water.
Casey Martins, Au.D.
Audiologist
Dr. Casey Martins, Au.D., received both her Doctorate in Audiology and her Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Connecticut. During her doctorate career, she completed a Pediatric Audiology Fellowship through UConn Health for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities (LEND). She has experience in a variety of settings including ENT, Neurotology, pediatrics, private practice, an outpatient hospital, and a children’s hospital.
Dr. Martins is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has extensive experience in vestibular training, cochlear implants, and fitting hearing devices. Dr. Martins wanted to have a career in a field where she could help individuals communicate better. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help patients be present in the moment instead of missing out on conversations with their loved ones.
Dr. Martins loves to spend time with her husband and daughter. Together they go on hikes and enjoy being outdoors.
Olivia Biehl
Scheduling Coordinator | Audiology Assistant
Olivia Biehl graduated from the University of Connecticut in May of 2021. She earned a B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences as well as a B.A. in Biology. She started with Best Life Hearing Center, LLC as a Scheduling Coordinator in September of 2021. She obtained her Audiology Assistant certification in 2022. She enjoys interacting with patients and being able to help with their hearing aids. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and spending time with her family and friends.
Amber Recine
Audiology Assistant
During her summers in high school Amber worked at an Endoscopy Center before earning her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University and then her Audiology Assistant Certification. During her undergraduate studies, Amber took classes in Audiology and enjoyed the information, prompting her to go into the hearing field.
Amber’s younger brother and cousin both have hearing loss, giving her first-hand experience with how it can affect communication. She enjoys helping people solve their problems. Addressing hearing loss can impact their whole life and the lives around them as well.
In her free time, Amber likes to go out with her family and friends. Together they go to NYC often or to see new movies in the theaters. She also enjoys watching baseball and football games, on TV and in person.
Heather Hall
Scheduling Coordinator
Heather is one of our friendly and knowledgeable Scheduling Coordinators. She started her career in the medical field as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in 2010 where she worked in nursing homes helping the elderly. In 2015 she transitioned into a medical reception position where she has experience with general surgery and vision. Heather chose to work in the healthcare and hearing fields because she enjoys helping people live their best lives, and now, she is able to assist patients with their hearing health.
Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and their two boys, having movie nights, reading, and going to the beach in the summer.
Lisa Moran
Scheduling Coordinator
Lisa is one of our talented and friendly Scheduling Coordinators. She has years of experience helping others as she was a Pre-School Teacher for 12 years, worked in Custom Photographic Printing for 15 years, and was an Accounting Assistant performing clerical work for a local law office. Lisa transitioned into the hearing healthcare field after hearing about the practice from a friend. Now, she enjoys interacting with all the patients she gets to see every day.
Lisa is very artistic and loves creating artwork in her free time.
Julia Palumbo
Scheduling Coordinator
Julia recently joined our team as a Scheduling Coordinator. She has years of experience in both customer service and food service, and genuinely enjoys helping people. Julia came to the hearing field because of her friends who are hearing impaired. She wanted to learn ways on how she can advocate and help those with hearing loss. Now, she is constantly learning more about hearing health and enjoys meeting the new people who come into our offices every day.
In her free time, Julia likes to bake, paint, and read.
Catherine Annulli
Practice Manager
Cathy is a graduate of Briarwood College in the Medical Administration program and attended the University of Connecticut as a Theater Arts student. Prior to joining Best Life Hearing Center, Cathy was Regional Operations Manager for Trinity Health of New England/Neurology, and she spent several years as a long-term Healthcare Consultant in many hospital systems and private practices in Connecticut. She has special interests and expertise in the areas of Health Information Technology, HIPAA, and Compliance.
Cathy lives in Litchfield County on a lovely little lake with many ducks, geese, and Blue Herons. In her free time, you may find Cathy on any of the many local regional and community theater stages.
HOW WE GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY
Best Life Hearing Center is a proud supporter of Project Purple. Project Purple is an impact-driven organization with a vision of a world without pancreatic cancer. Their mission is to find a cure for pancreatic cancer and improve the lives of patients through support, hope, and compassion. Click on the Project Purple logo to learn more about their cause.
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