Our Doctors
American Board of Audiology certified audiologists with over 25 years combined experience providing exemplary hearing and balance healthcare.
ACHC Accredited
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) only grants its coveted deeming authority designation to select organizations that consistently exceed expectations.
Jacquelyn C. J. Lovitt, Au.D.
American Board of Audiology Certified Audiologist
Dr. Jacquelyn C. J. Lovitt has a wealth of knowledge, training, and unique skills in the areas of audiological and vestibular assessment and management, tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment, central auditory processing disorders, electrophysiological evaluation, and hearing aids. She received both her bachelor’s and Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degrees from The Ohio State University and completed her residency at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.
Named Senior Master clinician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
As a subject matter expert for the Department of Defense, Dr. Lovitt developed, and was lead instructor, for the first week-long course on central auditory processing disorders to military and VA Audiologists from around the nation.
Board certified by the American Board of Audiology, a designation which indicates a dedication to ethical practice as well as robust continuing education requirements.
Expert in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation, having received specialized education at advanced levels of study.
Received the highly-competitive award of Senior Civilian of the Quarter while at Walter Reed to honor her outstanding work performance and patient care.
Unique experience working with patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder, which includes her work with the TBI team at Walter Reed and the National Intrepid Center of Excellence.
More About Dr. Lovitt
Dr. Lovitt’s experience includes her work at the premiere military hospital in the nation, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), where she was bestowed the honor of being named Senior Master Clinician. During her time there, she independently developed a multi-disciplinary, holistic central auditory processing evaluation and management protocol at WRNMMC and eventually created a one-week seminar for military and VA audiologists. She has sat on multi-disciplinary teams for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and pediatric craniofacial abnormalities. In addition, she previously served as subject matter expert to the Department of Defense and VA for central auditory processing disorders (CAPD).
Dr. Lovitt’s vision is to improve early intervention for hearing loss and balance disorders and their sequalae. She understands the significant role hearing and balance plays in maintaining happy, healthy, and socially-engaged lifestyles. Dr. Lovitt is passionate about preventing the long-term effects that untreated hearing loss can have on cognitive and emotional health. Because of their shared passion in helping all to hear better, she collaborated with Dr. Ortiz-Hawkins to found Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of those in the metro DC region.
When asked what makes Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance unique, Dr. Lovitt stated the following:
“We effectively partner with each patient, considering their unique abilities, resources, and needs, to develop holistic, audiological intervention plans that will lead to optimal outcomes.”
Candice E. Ortiz-Hawkins, Au.D.
American Board of Audiology Certified Audiologist
Dr. Candice E. Ortiz-Hawkins is a nationally recognized, American Board of Audiology Certified Audiologist, United States Army Veteran, speaker and author on hearing healthcare practices. Audiologists from across the country have sought out her expertise in tinnitus evaluation and treatment, auditory hallucination management, and hearing monitoring for patients who are undergoing medical treatment which can cause hearing loss (ototoxic monitoring). She has additional expertise in electrophysiologic evaluations and atypical hearing losses and hearing aid fittings.
Certified by the American Board of Audiology, a designation which indicates a dedication to ethical practice as well as robust continuing education requirements.
Certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association which recognizes that holders sustain rigorous continued academic and professional standards.
Deemed an expert in tinnitus evaluation and management having received specialized training which was used to establish evaluation and treatment models at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Associate Master Clinician during her tenure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, indicating exemplary service and productivity with her work in ototoxic monitoring.
Expert in ototoxic monitoring and is internationally recognized for her work in the development of standardization of care within the multi-disciplinary environment.
More About Dr. Ortiz-Hawkins
Dr. Ortiz-Hawkins received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Wayne State University and her Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from University of South Florida. She completed her residency at the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and The House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Ortiz-Hawkins worked at the prestigious Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) for over a decade. During her time there, she single-handedly developed programs for newborn hearing screening and ototoxic monitoring for patients undergoing treatment for cancer, infectious diseases, and pulmonary disorders. Dr. Ortiz-Hawkins was bestowed the honor of being named an Associate Master Clinician by WRNMMC for her work in ototoxicity. She has sat on multi-disciplinary teams for hematology and oncology, and national tinnitus working groups. She currently sits on the International Ototoxicity Monitoring Group.
Dr. Ortiz-Hawkins’s vision is to impact the lives of patients, her community, and the advancement of audiology by providing a holistic approach to hearing healthcare. It is with this vision that she has, in partnership with Dr. Lovitt, founded the Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance where their combined expertise and innovation are accessible to those in the metro Washington DC area and beyond.
When asked what makes Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance different, Dr. Ortiz-Hawkins explains:
“We have made a commitment to do whatever it takes to serve our patients and make top-tier hearing and balance healthcare more accessible to our community.”
Claudia Pastorelli, Au.D.
American Speech-Language Hearing Association Certified Audiologist
Dr. Claudia Pastorelli is an experienced audiologist with over 15 years of expertise in audiometric and electrophysiological testing, vestibular assessment for evaluation of dizziness and balance disorders, and hearing aid fitting.
Master of Arts degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland
Certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association
Doctoral degree from the University of Florida
Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology
More About Dr. Claudia Pastorelli
Dr. Pastorelli is passionate about providing personalized care to her patients with a particular focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for hearing and balance. During her tenure as clinical supervisor at Central Michigan University, she mentored over 100 audiology doctoral students, helping them develop the skills necessary to thrive in the field.
Dr. Pastorelli received her Master of Arts degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland with clinical training at Washington Hospital Center, University of Maryland Medical Center – Baltimore, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Mid-Michigan Ear, Nose, and Throat – East Lansing, and Central Michigan University. She later earned her doctoral degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Pastorelli is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.
A dedicated educator and advocate for accessible care, Dr. Pastorelli coordinated audiology services at a senior living center and provided hearing screenings at Special Olympics Michigan and a local tribal preschool. In addition, she is a native Italian speaker, allowing her to connect with a broader range of patients.
Brianna Cole
Brianna Cole is a current fourth year Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) student from Arizona State University completing her residency at Capital Institute of Hearing & Balance. She received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Speech Sciences from the University of British Columbia.
More About Brianna Cole
Prior to starting her AuD program, Brianna worked as an audiology assistant at a top hearing aid clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. It was there that she developed a passion for working with hearing aids and people with hearing loss. She has also worked as a staff writer for hearing aid blogs and has developed numerous patient resources to help those with hearing loss find top tier hearing healthcare across the nation.
A hearing aid user herself, Brianna is passionate about helping others with hearing loss to hear their best. Her other clinical focuses have included central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), tinnitus, and balance disorder diagnosis and treatment.
Our audiologists provide a holistic approach to hearing and balance care while setting the standard of excellence in prevention, diagnosis, and early treatment through education, accessibility, and innovation.