Debbie Baerlocher, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAA
Meridian
Dr. Baerlocher received her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing from Elmira College in 1996, and her Doctorate in Audiology from Central Michigan University in 2000. She has worked for the Elks Hearing & Balance Center since 2000. Her doctoral research project was published in the Journal of Educational Audiology in 2000. She specializes in diagnostics, auditory evoked potentials, hearing aids and manages the Newborn Screening Programs for St. Luke’s hospitals in Boise and Meridian. She is also the audiology consultant for the Idaho Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program, providing training to hospitals and physicians about newborn hearing screening and hearing loss.

Erika Blanchard, M.S., CCC-A, F-AAA
Eagle
Erika received her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology with an emphasis in developmental disabilities and teaching English as a Second Language from University of Nevada, Reno. She earned her Masters degree of Science in Audiology from Idaho State University. She has worked in private practice and in medical otolaryngology settings prior to joining the Elks Hearing & Balance Center in 2004. She specializes in pediatric and adult diagnostics, hearing aids, aural rehabilitation, central auditory processing disorders and tinnitus assessment and management. Erika holds current Audiology licensure in Oregon and Idaho. She serves on the Idaho Hands and Voices Advisory Board, and the Publications Committee for the American Academy of Audiology. She contracts with Utah State University as a Network Audiologist for the National Center of Hearing Assessment and Management. She acts as a mentor to pediatric audiologists throughout the country.

Erin Castioni, Au. D.
Nampa
Dr. Castioni received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and her Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University. Prior to joining Elks Hearing & Balance Center in July 2010, Dr. Castioni completed a doctoral fellowship at The Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her primary interests include cochlear implant rehabilitation, evoked potentials testing, central auditory processing disorders, and hearing aid fittings in adult and pediatric populations. Dr. Castioni has extensive research experience in the use of evoked potentials for cochlear implant programming methods and follow-up. She has also presented research on the development of test materials for diagnosing auditory processing disorders.

Alison Faber, Au.D.
Boise
Dr. Faber received her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2005 from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama in 2001. She has been working for the Elks Hearing & Balance Center since 2004. Dr. Faber’s areas of clinical interest include cochlear implants, amplification, and diagnostics, including evoked potentials for both the adult and pediatric populations.

April Fagerson, Au.D.
Boise
Dr. Fagerson earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Speech and Hearing Sciences/Audiology from Washington State University. She completed her clinical doctorate in audiology (AuD) from Salus University in 2009. She has been with the Elks Hearing & Balance Center since 2006. Dr. Fagerson’s professional interests include adult and pediatric diagnostics and amplification, tinnitus management, and vestibular testing. Outside of work she enjoys Idaho sunshine on the ski hill, lake, or swimming pool.

Shannon Gower, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Gower received her Doctorate in Audiology from Salus University in 2006 and a Master Degree in Audiology at Idaho State University in 2001. She has worked at Elks Hearing and Balance since 2001. Her specialty areas include auditory evoked potentials, central auditory processing disorders and diagnostic evaluation and rehabilitation for children and adults. Dr. Gower is currently serving on the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing board. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.

Jenna Hoffman, Au.D.
Boise
Dr. Hoffman received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Louisville and her Bachelor of Science from Penn State University. Dr. Hoffman was a clinical fellow for one year at the Mayo Clinic Arizona prior to joining the Hearing and Balance team in July 2006. Dr. Hoffman's primary focuses include cochlear implant rehabilitation, evoked potentials and pediatric evaluation and rehabilitation. She has unique research experience in several areas including the use of cochlear implants together with hearing aids and hearing loss in the percussionist population.

Paul Lancaster, Au.D., F-AAA
Nampa
Dr. Lancaster received his Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders from Utah State University in 2003, and his Doctorate in Audiology from Utah State University in 2007. He completed his residency program in a private practice in Northern California, after. He published his dissertation on tele-health in audiology in the American Journal of Audiology in 2008 and he continues to have interests in research. Dr. Lancaster has specific interests in vestibular diagnostics testing and adult amplification.

Larissa Mann, Au.D., CCC-A
Ontario
Dr. Mann received her doctorate in audiology from Central Michigan University in May 2010. Prior to coming to the Elks Hearing & Balance Center in June 2010, she completed her residency at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. Her specialty areas include auditory evoked potential testing, diagnostics and amplification for adult and pediatric patients. She is in the process of publishing her research in vestibular testing.

Brenda Mecier AuD, CCC-A
Brenda received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from University of Californa at Santa Barbara in 1985 and her Master of Science from Utah State University in 1988. She received her clinical doctorate (AU.D) in audiology from University of Florida in 2008. She has held the certificate of clinical competence (CCC) in audiology with the American Speech Language Hearing Association since 1988. Brenda has worked in private practice, medical otolaryngology settings, and in hearing aid manufacturer settings. Brenda has served in the Idaho Speech and Hearing Services board for one term. She has supervisied Idaho State University audiology students during clinical rotations. She specializes in adult hearing device fittings and vestibular testing.

Karrie Pargman, Au.D., F-AAA
Boise
Dr. Pargman received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Utah and Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Vermont. She has been working for the Elks Hearing & Balance Center since May 2007. Dr. Pargman’s interests include cochlear implants, evoked potentials, assessment of hearing loss and hearing aids in both the adult and pediatric populations. She has research experience in Speech-Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response testing for diagnosis of auditory processing disorders.

Maria Roetto, Au.D.
Meridian
Dr. Roetto received her Doctorate in Audiology from Utah State University in 2011 and her Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders from Brigham Young University in 2007. She completed her Doctoral Residency at the Elks Hearing and Balance Center and upon completion of her residency and graduation in May 2011, accepted a permanent position. Dr. Roetto’s specialty areas include diagnostic hearing testing and hearing aid fitting in both pediatric and adult populations, auditory evoked potentials and adult aural rehabilitation. Dr. Roetto ‘s research involving early intervention and physician outreach was published in the September 2011 ASHA Leader and she presented similar research in March 2010 at the National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Conference in Chicago, IL.

Kari Paynter Spaete, Au.D., F-AAA
Nampa
Dr. Paynter received her Doctorate in Audiology from Central Michigan University. She began her career at the Elks Hearing & Balance Center as a Doctoral Resident and enjoyed her experience so much she decided to accept a permanent position after graduating in May of 2009. Dr. Paynter’s specialty areas include auditory evoked potentials, vestibular diagnostic testing, and adult and pediatric hearing instrument fittings. She has also conducted research related to recreational firearm use and noise-induced hearing loss.

Jessica Stich-Hennen, Au.D.
Boise
Dr. Jessica Stich-Hennen is originally from Minnesota. She moved to Idaho and received her Doctorate in Audiology from the Idaho State University in 2008. Dr. Stich-Hennen’s specialty areas include pediatric and adult diagnostics and amplification, auditory evoked potentials and central auditory processing disorder evaluations. Dr. Stich-Hennen works as the primary audiologist for the Idaho Cleft Palate and Craniofacial team. In addition, she acts as the audiologist consultant for the Idaho Sound Beginnings newborn hearing screening program. In April 2011, Dr. Stich-Hennen became one of seven audiologists in the country to obtain Specialty Certification in Pediatric Audiology.

Laurie Stucki, Au.D.
Nampa
Dr.Stucki received her Doctorate degree in Audiology from PCO School of Audiology in 2006 and completed her master's degree training in Audiology from Idaho State University in 2003. She has been with the Elks Hearing & Balance Center since 2003. She performs diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and vestibular assessments. She enjoys interacting with patients from all age groups.

Michael Sturmak, M.S., CCC-A F-AAA
Eagle
Michael received his Bachelor of Science from Murray State University in 1976, his Masters degree of Science in Audiology from Idaho State University in1987 and is currently working on his Doctorate Degree from Central Michigan University; He has worked both in private practice and Hospital based Audiology. He has worked at the Elks Hearing & Balance Center since 1987.

Michael holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), is a Fellow in the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA) and remains active in the Idaho Speech and Hearing Association (ISHA); He holds current licensure in both Idaho and Oregon. He has been an affiliate Faculty member of Idaho State University Since 1995, and has taught numerous college and professional courses, as well as made many professional and public presentations. He was a member of the Idaho State Licensing Board for two terms and was Board Chair for three years. He is published in several professional journals including the American Journal of Audiology and the British Journal of Audiology.

Christine Wallace, Au.D., CCC-A
Ontario
Dr. Wallace obtained a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Northwest Nazarene University in 1992, a Master of Science in Audiology from Idaho State University in 1994 and a Doctorate in Audiology from Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2007. She worked as an audiologist at Ontario Audiology & Hearing Aids from 1995 to October 2007, when the business was purchased by the Elks Hearing & Balance Center. She is licensed in both Oregon and Idaho. Her special interests include Aural Rehabilitation and Central Auditory Processing Disorders.

April Ward, Au.D., F-AAA
Eagle
Dr. Ward received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Idaho State University in 2000, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2002, she received her Masters degree in Audiology from Idaho State University. Dr. Ward completed her Clinical Doctorate Degree in Audiology at A.T. Still University in August of 2009. Previously, Dr. Ward has worked as the Director of Audiology at Biltmore Ear, Nose and Throat in Phoenix, Arizona. After moving back to Idaho, she joined the team at the Elks Hearing & Balance Center in 2006.