Meet Dr. Mitch Aquilina, Palm Beach Clinic Director

Opening a new clinic comes with a whirlwind of activity, but for Dr. Mitch Aquilina, Au.D., the opportunity to launch a Fortell clinic in his local community is a true passion project. We sat down with him to discuss his deep ties to the area, his patient-centered philosophy, and how his family's experience with hearing loss shaped his career.

Q: You have deep roots here in South Florida. Tell us a bit about your background and your connection to the Palm Beach area.

Dr. Aquilina: I actually grew up right here in the community. Today, I live in Jupiter, and I guess you could say I’m a bit of a local through and through.

I went to the University of Florida (Go Gators!) for college and my doctoral training. Soon after graduating, I returned to my hometown and have been treating patients in this area for quite some time now. I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a huge support group of lifelong friends and family in the area, which is extra special now that my own family is growing. I have a two-year-old at home, and our second baby is arriving soon. 

Q: What first drew you to audiology? Was there a specific moment you knew this was your path?

Dr. Aquilina: My mom had hearing loss at an early age. Even as a child, seeing the positive impact that improved hearing had on her life was a defining influence on my decision to help others. When I started taking audiology classes in college, it confirmed this was the perfect avenue to combine my love for healthcare with a way to truly impact people on a deeply personal level.

It's a feel-good profession, so people actually like coming to the audiologist. 

Q: Wait, is that true? Why do you think people enjoy coming to the audiologist? 

Dr. Aquilina: It really comes down to the fact that the process is mostly painless. As an audiologist, you’re never causing physical discomfort, and you are actively helping someone who wants to be helped.

Untreated hearing loss impacts every single aspect of a person's life: their social interactions, their marriages, and their careers. When we establish a strong rapport and map out a solution, patients recognize that every minute we spend together has the potential to improve their quality of life. If you make the clinic a welcoming, low-stress environment, people quickly realize the process is painless and actually enjoyable. 

Q: How do you establish that rapport with patients? 

Dr. Aqulina: Everyone walks through our doors with entirely different motivations. To provide real help, you have to look beyond the audiogram and see the actual human being. I want to understand exactly why they are visiting me–what specific moments in their lives make better hearing absolutely critical to their day-to-day reality. 

For example, during my years in practice, I have treated several surgeons. In an operating room, a surgeon cannot afford to miss what a scrub nurse is saying across the table–it can literally be a matter of life or death. They need to hear clearly to do their jobs safely, but common coping mechanisms like lip reading are impossible in the OR because everyone is wearing a surgical mask.

,Understanding those high stakes, allows me to better educate patients on the solutions we offer. It also helps me connect with them on a personal level, so I can support them in ways that truly align with their individual hearing goals.

Q: How did Fortell first cross your radar, and what made you want to come on board? 

Dr. Aquilina: A member of the Fortell recruiting team reached out to me and I was lucky enough to demo the devices with one of the co-founders. I’ve tested hundreds of hearing devices throughout my career, but the second I put these on, my jaw dropped. I remember thinking, “Oh, wow. I need to take this very seriously.”

When I looked deeper into the underlying clinical research and saw the world-class team they were assembling from both inside and outside the industry, I knew they were deeply committed to doing things the right way. I knew right then that I wanted to be a part of it.

Ready to take control of your hearing health? Learn more about Fortell’s Palm Beach clinic here. 

‍