Audiologists In Central Indiana

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

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

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 and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and attending her daughter's youth basketball and softball events.

Stephanie Hulesch

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. They recently welcomed their son, Nate, and are smitten and a little sleepy! In her spare time she enjoys traveling, concerts, and checking out the latest restaurants around town.

Allison Almon, Au.D., CCC-A

Allison Almon received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Butler University and completed her Doctorate of Audiology at Indiana University. Allison moved to Orange County, CA to complete her final year externship and went on to practice at an Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic in San Diego. She is excited to be back home in the Indianapolis area and looks forward to helping members of her community find solutions for hearing loss. In her spare time, Allison enjoys traveling, getting outdoors, and spending time with her family. Allison is licensed in the state of Indiana and holds her certification of clinical competency from the American Speech and Hearing Association.

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

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.

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

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.

Tamara Engels, M.S., CCC-A

Tamara Engels completed her undergraduate and graduate degree in Audiology at Purdue University. She has been working in hearing healthcare for over thirty years. Her career has taken her from Indiana to California, Michigan and Kentucky. She has worked in medical offices, hospitals and non-profit organizations. Her primary focus has been working with hearing aids and diagnostic testing for pediatric through adult populations. She enjoys yoga, swimming, long walks and time with family & friends.

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

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.

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

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. Hahn strives to provide patient-centered care while utilizing gold-standard practices. Her interests include spending time with friends and family, staying active with her husband and their dog Peanut, and learning new subjects.

Megan Herman, Au.D., CCC-A

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.

Brooke Hesson, Au.D., CCC-A

Dr. Brooke Hesson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech & Hearing Sciences in December 2015 and her Doctor of Audiology degree in July 2019 at Indiana University-Bloomington. She currently is a clinical audiologist at Whisper Hearing Centers-Greenwood. Prior to joining Whisper Hearing Centers, Dr. Hesson was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, where she taught The Principles of Audiology course and Laboratory of Amplification course. She specializes in adult diagnostics and hearing aids. Dr. Hesson is licensed by the state of Indiana. She is also a member of American Academy of Audiology and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She was awarded a Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2023. She is originally from Newburgh in southern Indiana and currently resides in Indianapolis with her husband, Chase, and two golden retrievers, Hoosier and Monty (nicknamed for Bobby Montgomery Knight). Her and her family enjoy rooting on the Hoosiers at sporting events, especially basketball.

Jessica James, Au.D.

Jessica graduated from Ball State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology. She continued her studies at Ball State where she obtained her Doctorate in Audiology. Jessica enjoys diagnostic testing and working with hearing aids at our Indianapolis-South office. She also sees patients through our Balance Point facility. 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.

Paige Kelsch, Au.D.

Dr. Paige Kelsch was born and raised in Carmel, Indiana. She earned her bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana University- Bloomington in 2015 and later graduated with her Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree in 2019 from Ball State University. Dr. Kelsch completed her 4th year externship at a large ENT practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is also where she lived and practicedfor two years. Dr. Kelsch, and her puppy moved back to Indianapolis and have enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys working with all patient types to provide comprehensive hearing healthcare and to improve their communication needs.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Olivia Patterson, Au.D., CCC-A

Olivia graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2017 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders. She then earned her Doctorate of Audiology degree from the University of Louisville in 2020. She 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. Olivia is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has special interests in Cochlear Implants, Hearing Aids, and Diagnostics. She enjoys spending her free time attending sporting events, exploring local eateries, and relaxing with her husband and dog.

Betsy Russo, Au.D

Betsy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Butler University in 2017. She continued her education at Purdue University, where she earned her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2021. She is a licensed audiologist in the state of Indiana and has a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology through the America Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Betsy is originally from Indianapolis and enjoys traveling, dancing, and spending time with family/friends.

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

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.

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

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 spending time with her husband and three children, cooking, and waterskiing.

Erica-Seibert-Au.D.

Originally from Evansville, IN, Dr. Erica Seibert earned her Bachelor of Science degree and Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) from Ball State University. She completed her clinical residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, where she obtained valuable experience with hearing aids, verification, diagnostic testing, cochlear implants, and vestibular evaluations.

Dr. Erica Seibert is a board-certified Audiologist in the state of Indiana and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-A) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She spent multiple years working at an ENT clinic outside of Washington, DC, where she continued working in the areas of comprehensive evaluations for patients of all ages as well as advanced hearing technology. Erica is passionate about finding individualized rehabilitation to those with hearing loss.

Brooklyn Taulman, Au.D., CCC-A

Brooklyn Taulman received her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health as well as her Doctorate of Audiology at Indiana University. Brooklyn moved to Louisville, Kentucky to complete her final year externship. Being from Columbus, Indiana, she is ready to be back in the Hoosier country! Brooklyn likes to spend her time running, working out, wakeboarding, and traveling!

Brooklyn is licensed in the state of Indiana and holds her certification of clinical competency from the American Speech and Hearing Association. She is also a member of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is excited to be a member of the Whisper Audiology team. Her area of interest and specialty is in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and helping patients improve their quality of life.

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

Colleen received her Master’s in Audiology from Purdue University. She has practiced audiology in private practice and ENT offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Frankfort, Indiana before coming to Whisper Hearing Centers in 1996. In her free time Colleen enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, three boys, a dog, and two cats.

Carly Yoder, Au.D., CCC-A

Carly is passionate about providing guidance and treatment options to those in her community who experience hearing loss or other otologic symptoms. She believes in using best practices and providing individualized care for each unique patient. She received both her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Audiology degrees from Ball State University. In her free time, Dr. Yoder enjoys hiking, biking, live music and spending time with friends and family.

Shelby Zimmerman, Au.D.

Shelby graduated from Indiana University in 2017 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She continued her studies at Indiana University where she also obtained her Doctorate in Audiology. Shelby 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 traveling, camping, and kayaking with her husband and dogs.

Meet Your Audiologists