While obtaining my undergraduate degree at Marquette University, I was introduced to audiology through an American Sign Language course. We had discussions on topics like the Deaf community, hearing loss, and hearing healthcare. When researching who audiologists are and what they do, I fell in love with the idea of specializing in a healthcare field where I can make a difference in someone’s life. I decided to leave Wisconsin for a few years to pursue my Doctoral Degree in Audiology at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
As an audiologist, my goal is to bridge those gaps in communication by using a holistic, research-based approach to hearing healthcare and collaborating with other healthcare providers to determine appropriate treatment methods. It is so rewarding to witness how much quality of life improves for my patients that are now hearing better. I’m happy to be at Beaver Dam Hearing Care because of our emphasis on providing exceptional hearing healthcare, and the practice truly aligns with my goals as a provider.
One of my most meaningful encounters as an audiologist was when I met a young man who barely spoke English and came to the United States from Africa for work. He was referred to me because his coworkers noticed that he couldn’t hear the honking of his forklift when he placed his arm over the steering wheel! We found out that he was profoundly deaf in both ears for almost 10 years. He explained to me he used to wear hearing aids in Africa but had no access to batteries, so he stopped wearing them once their battery life expired. After working closely with his employer and a local ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician for a couple of months, we were able to restore his hearing with a cochlear implant that I activated! He told me that I saved his life, and it encouraged me to continue my efforts in providing the best care to all my patients.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two little boys whether at home or at the zoo. Some of my favorite things are daisies, tennis, bowling, and the Milwaukee Brewers (of course!).
Education
- Bachelor of Science – Marquette University
- Doctor of Audiology – University of Louisville
Professional Memberships
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Wisconsin Academy of Audiology