Zac La Fratta is a fourth-year extern at the Audiology Clinic at University Colorado Hospital. He is completing his clinical doctorate studies at Gallaudet University's audiology program under the Pediatric Audiology Education and Dissemination of Services (PAEDS) Grant for the U.S. Office of Special Education. He has completed clinical audiology rotations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area at an ENT private practice, Children's National Medical Center, and The River School. Zac currently serves as an Audiology LEND Fellow with the JFK Partners program here in Colorado to continue his training with pediatric audiology through various interdisciplinary models. He is also proud to work with several programs at the Marion Downs Hearing Center, including Campus Connections, Newborn Hearing Screenings, and Teen Day.

Zac has a bilateral, mild steeply sloping to profound sensorineural hearing loss acquired from exposure to bacterial meningitis at 8 months of age. His first spoken words (according to Dad) were "hold me," but sign language was his actual first language. He received early intervention services through The Callier Center at UT Dallas and was mainstreamed in both private and public schools. Zac wore hearing aids for the first decade of his life before putting them in the drawer for nearly twenty years. He now proudly wears hearing aids after embracing his hearing loss, and is currently in conversations of possibly pursuing a cochlear implant. Zac enjoys playing tennis, dining out, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Nicole Cyr 

Originally from Maine, Nicole attended the University of Maine at Orono for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Graduate School at the University of Colorado brought Nicole to Colorado, and eventually to the Marion Downs Hearing Center. In her fourth year externship, Nicole is currently working on her Clinical Doctorate degree in Audiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Working at the University of Colorado Hospital has been a very eye opening experience for Nicole. She has discovered her fascination with cochlear implants, and her particular desire to work in pediatrics. When asked about her experience, Nicole said, "I am fortunate to have a clinical experience where I am exposed to the extensive possibilities of my future career."

When not studying, or working in the clinic, Nicole enjoys spending time with her dog, Stella, and her boyfriend. On the weekends, Nicole tries to find time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors by hiking, biking, or running. She makes sure to always attach a trailer to her bike so that Stella can enjoy the scenery as well.