Miracle-Ear Inc
Miracle-Ear Inc, Plymouth, Minn, a division of Amplifon USA, Plymouth, Minn, announced the promotion of Loren Lunsford to regional sales manager of the Miracle-Ear Eastern corporate retail stores. Lunsford began working with Miracle-Ear as a dispensing audiologist in August 1997, and in 2000 was promoted to district manager for the Atlanta corporate retail stores, serving in that position until her recent promotion. Lunsford graduated with a masters degree in audiology from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Ala, in 1996.

Siegwart Mayr Kellie Welch

Audina Hearing Instruments Inc
Audina Hearing Instruments Inc, Longwood, Fla, announces the expansion of its software development team and audiology department with the addition of Siegwart Mayr and Kellie Welch. Mayr joined the Audina team as a software engineer in June 2004. He received his master’s in software engineering from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich, and has 10 years experience in software engineering, working in the United States, Caribbean, and Latin America. Mayr’s responsibilities include software development, maintenance, and support in the delivery of innovative and high quality fitting software for hearing aid products.

Welch joined the Audina team as a support audiologist in June 2004. Originally from Florida, she has worked as a clinical audiologist in the Orlando area for 3 years. She received her master’s degree in speech and hearing sciences from the University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala. Welch’s responsibilities include providing technical training and support, and contributing to product and software enhancement. She will additionally be presenting approved continuing education lectures at national training seminars.

Audiology Foundation of America
Two graduates of the AuD program at Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS), Mesa, Ariz, were honored by the Audiology Foundation of America (AFA) during an awards ceremony on March 12, 2004—Catherine Comstock, AuD, and Marshall Chasin, AuD, both received AFA Professional Leadership Awards.

(L to R) Nancy Green AuD, Catherine Comstock, AuD, and Tabitha Parent-Buck, AuD, ASHS Audiology Chair.

Comstock was recognized for outstanding service to her community as an advocate and advisor to Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Cleft Palate Support Group, and Rotary International, as well as for her leadership within the AuD program at ASHS. Chasin was honored also for significant research and educational efforts in preventing noise exposure, hearing loss, and tinnitus; specifically focused on musicians and performing artists. AFA Advisory Committee member, Nancy Green, AuD, who is also on the ASHS faculty, presented Comstock with a certificate of recognition. Chasin was unable to attend the ceremony.

Three graduates of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology, Elkins Park, Pa, were also presented with AFA Professional Leadership Awards at their May graduation ceremony by AFA Director, Tom Morris, AuD. Tomi Thibodeaux Brown, AuD, was honored for her tireless efforts in promoting autonomy and political action on behalf of the profession of audiology. John Mascia, AuD, was recognized for his many publications, which integrated the professions of audiology and optometry in service to older adults with hearing and vision impairment. Nancy Ann Mascia, AuD, received the award in recognition of her publications, educating others to improve audiological assessments of deaf-blind patients.

Clarity
Wendy Yu has been promoted to the position of Western region sales representative of Clarity, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Yu will be responsible for managing and increasing sales for the Western region of the United States, maintaining business with established customers, and targeting growth with new customers. Prior to her promotion, Yu held the position of sales coordinator for Clarity. Previously, Yu served as sales analyst for Intex Company, Long Beach, Calif, and as an account representative for Xerox Corp, Stamford, Conn.

Kathy-Jo Facteau Scott George Richelle Adair Joyce Crain Missouri Hearing Society The Missouri Hearing Society elected new officers and several directors during their annual convention held this year in St. Louis, Mo. The officers are: Kathy-Jo Facteau, BC-HIS, president; Scott George, BC-HIS, president-elect; Richelle Adair, MS, CCC/A, secretary; and Joyce Crain, BC-HIS, treasurer. Newly elected directors are: Jackie Hartman, MS; CCC-A; Nancy Frasier, BC-HIS; Bernard Libel, HIS; Floyd Hansett, audioprosthologist; and Ervin Dock, BC-HIS. The board’s focus will be to monitor events that impact the hard of hearing, then act as necessary to ensure the outcome reflects the best interest of the hearing impaired, and to uplift those who provide hearing health care services.

Hearing Health Center Inc
Carole H. Cullen has been appointed director of operations of the Hearing Health Center Inc, Chicago, Ill. Cullen will oversee the four Hearing Health Center locations in Chicago’s Loop, Oakbrook Terrace, Elmhurst, and Naperville. She will also be responsible for the Center for Balance Disorders at the Naperville facility. Cullen’s first priority will be to enhance overall operations, with special emphasis on finance, marketing, and human resources.

The Hearing Health Center also announced that Susan Smith and Sheri Billing have earned their doctorate of audiology degree. Smith has worked with the Hearing Health Center since 1997, and Billing since 1991.