Bianca A. Allison, MD, MPH

Pediatric neurologic conditions can be difficult to understand and often create complex psychosocial challenges for the child and family. I favor a collaborative partnership with the family in achieving a shared goal of maximizing their childs quality of life. This is an exciting time in neurology with all the recent advances in genetic diagnosis and targeted treatments. My specific interests are pediatric epilepsy and the multi-modal treatment of refractory epilepsy including medications, diets, devices and surgery.

I grew up as one of three siblings with congenital hearing loss and have worn hearing aids since the age of six. I received a cochlear implant (CI) in the Spring of 2009 and now enjoy bimodal hearing (CI on one ear and hearing aid on the other). I have been a faculty member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences since August 1999 and hold the titles of Professor and Clinic Director. My primary responsibilities include directing the operations of the UNC Hearing and Communication Center clinic, providing clinical services while supervising graduate students in audiology, and teaching graduate courses. I am board-certified with the American Board of Audiology (ABA) and a member of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. I am a licensed audiologist in the state of North Carolina. I have had a lifelong passion for promoting more affordable and accessible hearing care to those with hearing loss. I am on the Academy of Doctors of Audiology Practice Accreditation committee for standardizing hearing and balance care. My team at the NC-Hearing and Communication Center aim to lead the way in national efforts to make hearing care more accessible via unbundled and itemized fee structure while utilizing best practices.

I decided to become an audiologist to improve the lives of adults living with hearing loss. My grandfather was a World War II veteran who slowly lost all of his hearing later in life. It was difficult watching him struggle to communicate toward the end of his life, so I decided I wanted to help other people so they wouldn't have to struggle as he and my family did. My approach to patient care is centered around patient education and empowerment. You can't make an informed decision without being educated about it. It's my job to provide that education so that my patients can make the best decision for their own care. My clinical interests and specialties are focused on adult hearing aids, adult hearing diagnostics, custom hearing protection, and adult aural rehabilitation. Outside of work, I enjoy going on hikes at Eno, spending time with my daughter, and traveling to the mountains or beaches of North Carolina for a getaway.