Meet Your Audiologists

Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Director of Audiology

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Christa earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech & Hearing Science from Purdue University and her Doctorate of Audiology degree from Ball State University in December 2001. She is currently the Director of Audiology for Whisper Hearing Centers. Prior to joining Whisper Hearing Centers Dr. Smith was the Au.D. Program Coordinator and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Doctor of Audiology Program. Dr. Smith is licensed by the state of Indiana and a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is originally from Indianapolis and currently resides in Indianapolis with her husband and two children.

Barbara A. Luikart, M.A., CCC-A

Assistant Director of Audiology

Carmel and Greencastle Office

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Barb earned her Bachelor of General Studies degree in 1992 and her Master of Arts degree in Audiology in 1995, both from the University of Kansas. She is currently the Assistant Director of Audiology for Whisper Hearing Centers. Her areas of special interest include Cochlear Implants and Bone Anchored Hearing Aids. Barb is licensed in the state of Indiana and is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She currently resides in the Indianapolis area with her husband and 3 children.

Stephanie Hulesch

Audiology Coordinator

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Stephanie is the Audiology Coordinator for Whisper Hearing Centers, helping things run smoothly throughout our fourteen locations. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from Butler University in 2012. She is from the southside of Indianapolis and currently resides there with her husband and dog, Auggie. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, concerts, and checking out the latest restaurants around town.

Kaitie E. Alsman, Au.D., CCC-A

Avon Office

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Kaitie, a Memphis, TN native, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Butler University and received her Doctor of Audiology degree from Indiana University. While attending Butler University, she was a member and captain of the Division I swim team. It was during her “Dawg days,” that she met and married her college sweetheart. She completed her final year externship at Whisper Hearing Centers. She is licensed in the state of Indiana and has a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology through the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She specializes in diagnostic audiology for the adult and pediatric population, as well as hearing aid fittings.

Julie A. Bower, M.S., CCC-A

Indy Downtown Office

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Julie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Purdue University in 1981 and her Master of Science degree in Audiology from Purdue University in 1982. She has over 30 years of Audiology experience in diagnostic and rehabilitation audiology with both pediatric and adult populations. Her specific interest is cochlear implants with the adult patient. She is a member of the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association, the American Academy of Audiology, and is licensed in the State of Indiana. She is married with three children and enjoys reading, playing tennis, Colts and Purdue football.

Emily Brennecke, Au.D

Avon Office

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Cynthia L. Butler, Au.D., CCC-A

Shelbyville Office

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Cindi received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Purdue University. She earned her Doctor of Audiology Degree at Ball State University. She is an active member of the American Academy of Audiology, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She specializes in adult and pediatric diagnostics and the fitting of hearing instruments.

Gabrielle N. Davis, Au.D., CCC-A

Community North and Greenfield Office

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Gabby received her Bachelor of Science degree from Biola University and received her Doctorate of Audiology degree from Purdue University. She is licensed in the state of Indiana, holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology through the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, and is a current Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. Dr. Davis strives to provide patient-centered care while utilizing gold-standard practices. Her interests include spending time with friends and family, staying active with her fiancée and their dog Peanut, and learning new subjects.

Nancy M. George, Au.D., CCC-A

Greenwood Office

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Nancy George has been practicing Audiology in Indiana since 1990. She has a Master’s degree in Audiology from Purdue University and a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from the A.T. Still University. She focuses on testing for hearing impairment and rehabilitation through the use of prescribed hearing devices carefully selected based on individual necessity. Nancy is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her husband and three children.

Sarah Gurnik, Au.D

Mooresville Office

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Sarah graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a concentration in audiology. She completed her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Illinois. Currently, she is with us working on her 4th year clinical externship. In her spare time, she loves cooking, taking long walks with her Goldendoodle, Jack, and spending time with her husband.

Megan Herman, Au.D., CCC-A

Indy-South Office

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Megan received her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Purdue University and received her Doctor of Audiology degree from Indiana University. She previously worked at an ENT practice in Hampton Roads, Virginia before moving back to Indiana in 2014. She is licensed in the state of Indiana and has a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology through the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

Connie J. Kitch, M.A., CCC-A

Indy-South and Mooresville Office

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Connie has practiced Audiology for over 30 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Ball State University in 1979 followed by a Master of Arts degree in Audiology. She worked for three years at Professional Audiology Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire as a clinical audiologist. In 1983, she returned to the Midwest and began working at Otolaryngology Associates where she has worked ever since. In her spare time, Connie enjoys working out, traveling, reading, and cooking.

Mallory K. Lowrance, Au.D., CCC-A

Community North Office

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Tricia A. Mandelbaum, M.A., CCC-A

Indy-South Office

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Tricia is an Audiologist in our Indianapolis south location. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Science as well as her Master’s Degree in Audiology from Indiana University. Previously, she worked as an Audiologist in several hearing aid practices as well as hospital settings. She was the Hearing Aid Manager at the Columbus, Ohio Speech and Hearing Center. Currently, she performs diagnostic testing for the physicians in the Indy-South office as well as seeing her own patients with hearing aids.

Lindsay M. Merrick, Au.D., CCC-A

Carmel Office

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Lindsay holds a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from Rush University and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Communication Disorders from Butler University. Lindsay has previously trained and worked professionally as an audiologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She is a current member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Lindsay specializes in diagnostic audiology at the Carmel location.

Heather M. Mickey, Au.D., CCC-A

Greenfield Office

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Heather graduated from Purdue University with both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. She completed her doctoral studies at A.T. Still University. She is clinically certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, a member of the American Academy of Audiology, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the Indiana Speech Language Hearing Association, and licensed by the state of Indiana. Some of her specific audiological interests are hearing instruments and adult and pediatric diagnostics. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and sons.

Amber L. Myers, M.A., CCC-A

Kokomo Office

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Amber graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing and her Master of Art’s degree in Audiology. She is clinically certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and licensed by the state of Indiana. She is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association. She conducts diagnostic hearing tests with children and adults, as well as works with clients to find the best technology to help them hear while maintaining their social lifestyles.

Alyson Ruotanen, Au.D.

Greenwood Office

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Alyson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Audiology with a minor in Gerontology from Ball State University and her Doctorate of Audiology degree from University of Cincinnati. She is currently a member of the American Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology. She is originally from the south side of Indianapolis. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dog, Indy. She is a huge basketball and football fan. Alyson is currently seeing patients at our Community South and Greenwood locations.

Meghan M. Schnellenberger, Au.D., CCC-A

Indy-Nora Office

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Meghan graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences. Following her studies at Miami, she received her Doctor of Audiology from Ball State University. In addition to hearing evaluations and hearing aid fittings, she also specializes in tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Dr. Schnellenberger belongs to the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech – Language Hearing Association, and the Indiana Speech -Language Hearing Association. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, waterskiing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Brenda D. Schrager, M.A., CCC-A

Carmel Office

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Brenda received her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Indiana University in Bloomington. Before joining Whisper in 2015, she practiced audiology and helping the hearing impaired in both private and medical settings. She is a fellow member of the American Academy of Audiology and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Brenda enjoys cooking, reading , fitness and spending meaningful time with family and friends.

Amy M. Schroeder, Au.D., CCC-A

Carmel and Noblesville Office

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Amy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University and Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Louisville. Originally from Ohio, she moved to Indiana in 2015. Dr. Schroeder is licensed in the state of Indiana, has a Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband, young daughter, and two dogs.

Colleen M. Watson, M.S., CCC-A

Indy-South and Mooresville Office

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Jessica James B.S., Audiology Extern

Indy-South Office

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Jessica graduated from Ball State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology. She returned to Ball State and is finishing her Doctorate in Audiology. Currently, she is with us working on her 4th year clinical externship. She is originally from the westside of Indianapolis in Speedway. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, kayaking at Turkey Run State Park, and baking.

Christa N. Smith, Au.D., CCC-A

Director of Audiology

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Barbara A. Luikart, M.A., CCC-A

Assistant Director of Audiology

Carmel and Greencastle Office

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Stephanie Hulesch

Audiology Coordinator

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Kaitie E. Alsman, Au.D., CCC-A

Avon Office

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Julie A. Bower, M.S., CCC-A

Indy Downtown Office

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Emily Brennecke, Au.D

Avon Office

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Cynthia L. Butler, Au.D., CCC-A

Shelbyville Office

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Gabrielle N. Davis, Au.D., CCC-A

Community North and Greenfield Office

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Nancy M. George, Au.D., CCC-A

Greenwood Office

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Sarah Gurnik, Au.D

Mooresville Office

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Megan Herman, Au.D., CCC-A

Indy-South Office

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Connie J. Kitch, M.A., CCC-A

Indy-South and Mooresville Office

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Mallory K. Lowrance, Au.D., CCC-A

Community North Office

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Tricia A. Mandelbaum, M.A., CCC-A

Indy-South Office

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Lindsay M. Merrick, Au.D., CCC-A

Carmel Office

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Heather M. Mickey, Au.D., CCC-A

Greenfield Office

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Amber L. Myers, M.A., CCC-A

Kokomo Office

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Alyson Ruotanen, Au.D.

Greenwood Office

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Meghan M. Schnellenberger, Au.D., CCC-A

Indy-Nora Office

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Brenda D. Schrager, M.A., CCC-A

Carmel Office

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Amy M. Schroeder, Au.D., CCC-A

Carmel and Noblesville Office

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Colleen M. Watson, M.S., CCC-A

Indy-South and Mooresville Office

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Jessica James B.S., Audiology Extern

Indy-South Office

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Shelby Zimmerman, Audiology Extern

Carmel Office

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