Northwest Hearing + Tinnitus’ Hearing Healthcare Professionals

Kindra Veith, Au.D., MHA, CH-TM

Doctor of Audiology & Director of Audiology

Dr. Kindra Veith completed her Audiology Residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. While there, Dr. Veith specialized in audiologic intervention services including cochlear implants, hearing aids, and bone-anchored hearing systems. She also completed rotations that included vestibular diagnostics, tinnitus management, and pediatric and adult comprehensive hearing assessments. Currently, Dr. Veith is ABA certified in tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance management, and enjoys problem-solving with the highest level of patient-centered care. She enjoys working with all populations including musicians, children aged 5 and older, and those with tinnitus and hearing loss.

Dr. Veith comes to Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus with a Doctorate of Audiology and Master’s Degree of Healthcare Administration from Pacific University in Hillsboro, OR. She grew up in Portland, OR and moved to Seattle with her husband and dogs. She enjoys getting outside with her family, fitness, wine, animals, and traveling. 

Education you can trust

• Doctor of Audiology: Pacific University
• Master of Health Care Administration: Pacific University
• Bachelor of Science in Health Science: Portland State University

A strong commitment to continuing education & professional contact

• President: Washington State Academy of Audiology
• Certificate Holder—Tinnitus Management (CH-TM™)

Tyler Ellis, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAA, CH-TM

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Tyler Ellis joins Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus in Seattle, from Charlotte, NC, where he practiced clinical audiology, specializing in tinnitus management, within a large otolaryngology medical group. Dr. Ellis earned his doctorate in audiology from the University of Iowa Graduate College, and completed a clinical residency wherein he received advanced training and experience in adult and pediatric diagnostic audiology, hearing aids, tinnitus, cochlear implants, and vestibular (balance) assessment and rehabilitation. Dr. Ellis obtained an undergraduate degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from the University of Minnesota. Following his education, he has committed himself to continued education and has obtained several certificates. Dr. Ellis is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is awarded the Certificate in Tinnitus Management by the American Board of Audiology. He also maintains the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

A classically trained pianist and avid music hobbyist, Dr. Ellis understands and advocates for the importance of hearing health, not only for the safety of knowing what is happening around you and for the understanding of day-to-day conversation, but also for engaging fully with what brings joy and deep purpose to your life, such as connecting with a long-distance loved one over the phone, hosting movie nights with friends, taking in precious moments with a soft-spoken child, following each verse of a theatre performance or sermon, picking out individual voices in the symphony orchestra, or experiencing the cacophony of chirps, buzzes, whirs, and stirs on a solo nature hike. Dr. Ellis is eager to share with you the tools to manage your hearing loss, tinnitus, noise sensitivity/intolerance, and prevent further loss of hearing function. He is committed to providing you accessible, patient-centered, evidence-based consultation and care for all your hearing health needs.

Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Ellis is looking forward to finding community in the local music scenes and enjoying all the offerings of nearby state and national parks with his canine pal, Franklin. 

Education you can trust

• Doctor of Audiology: University of Iowa Graduate College
• Bachelor Degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences: University of Minnesota. 

A strong commitment to continuing education & professional contact

• Fellow: American Academy of Audiology
• Member: Washington Speech Language Hearing Association 
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Certificate in Clinical Tinnitus Management administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
• Certificate Holder—Tinnitus Management (CH-TM™)

Jessica Farrah, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Jessica Farrah completed her doctorate at Gallaudet University, the only university for the Deaf in the world. She completed her residency year at the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center in Seattle. During her studies, she learned to provide services via American Sign Language as well as spoken English and has a passion for helping those in the Deaf community. 

Dr. Farrah joins the team with years of experience in private practice audiology where she most enjoys hearing conservation, ear cleanings, and working with those 12 years and older. Her passion is getting to know each of her clients so that her treatment plans can be highly personalized. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs travelling and exploring the PNW.

Education you can trust

• Doctor of Audiology: Gallaudet University
• Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Pennsylvania State University

A strong commitment to continuing education & professional contact

• Fellow: American Academy of Audiology
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (CAOHC)

Tamsyn Baumgartner

Audiology Assistant

Tamsyn Baumgartner is the Audiology Assistant at Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus.

She is specially trained to see patients for repair and maintenance appointments.

Tamsyn holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Western Washington University. She has years of exceptional customer care. Her goal is to create an environment of compassion, and respect, with our patients always being heard and feeling acknowledged.

She grew up in Monroe, Washington with her sister and has always called the PNW home. She enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family and cooking in her spare time.

Traciemichael “Tee” M. Skolrud

Patient Care Coordinator

Traciemichael “Tee” Skolrud is the Patient Care Coordinator at Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus. Tee acts as a liaison between patient and audiologist, answering any clinical questions and creating a positive and welcoming energy to the clinic. Tee is born and raised in the greater Seattle area, has always considered the PNW to be home. When she is not assisting patients she enjoys exploring the city, reading mystery novels, listening to true crime podcasts and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Laura Moran, Au.D., F-AAA, CH-TM

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Laura Moran brings over 36 years of experience in Audiology, having worked in ENT and private practice. After 24 years of private practice ownership, she sold her practice to retire, only to find she truly missed Audiology and one-on-one patient care. She has experience in diagnostic testing, hearing aids, vestibular assessments and tinnitus treatment. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Western Washington University in Bellingham and her Doctorate from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. She is Board Certified with the American Board of Audiology and holds a certificate in Tinnitus Management. Dr. Moran has two adult children, a wonderful daughter-in-law and a great son-in-law. Dr. Moran and her husband enjoy working in their large yard, creating their own private park. She has enjoyed traveling to Guatemala and Mexico for mission work in audiology as well as building homes. She enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, playing the ukulele and recently learning about foraging.

Education you can trust

• Doctor of Audiology: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
• Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degree: Western Washington University – Bellingham

A strong commitment to continuing education & professional contact

• Past President: Washington State Academy of Audiology
• Fellow: American Academy of Audiology
• Board Certified – ABA
• Certificate Holder—Tinnitus Management (CH-TM™)

Andrea Dorwart

Audiology Assistant

Andrea Dorwart is the Audiology Assistant at Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus in Olympia.

Andrea graduated from St. Martin’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She takes pride in doing her job well and is passionate about helping people.

She was born in Olympia, but moved around a lot as a kid because her dad was in the Air Force. She moved back to western WA in high school and has been here since. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family (including her 3 rescue cats), reading, watching movies, and being outdoors.

Melanie K. Hecker, Au.D., CH-TM

Doctor of Audiology & Owner

Dr. Hecker is the owner of the Northwest Hearing + Tinnitus clinics. After receiving her Doctorate of Audiology from Towson University in Maryland, she provided hearing healthcare in a multitude of clinical settings. Each setting varied in services, specialties, and cultures. Her preferred clinical setting is working in private practice due to the closer relationship that can be developed between the provider and patient as well as the individualized care that can be provided. She then spent over 5 years working in the hearing aid manufacturing industry providing Continuing Education Seminars and training; as well as assisting providers across the west coast with patient care. Dr. Hecker is also ABA certified in Tinnitus management with the completion of CH-TM.

Through these experiences, she found passion in tinnitus management and public speaking and developed a desire to create a company and culture of her own. She fervently went on to pursue her dream of designing an inclusive, equitable, fun, and healthy work atmosphere for staff and the best patient experience possible for all who come into the clinic. She acquired her first established private practice in Seattle, WA in 2018.

The Northwest Hearing + Tinnitus Brand was born in 2019. Dr. Hecker set out to ensure a extraordinary patient care and a healthy team culture and developed her company’s core values: 

Providing genuine care · Working with integrity · A culture of positivity

Based on these values, she assembled a team of compassionate and competent professionals with the desire to grow personally and professionally. Her mission for the company goes beyond providing exceptional patient care and aspires to reconnect those with hearing loss and tinnitus with the best parts of their lives. Because NWH+T is privately owned and independently operated by Dr. Hecker, she leads the Providers to do what is in the best interest of the patient. Thus, all patients receive personalized hearing healthcare for hearing and tinnitus management. If the treatment is a device, providers are not limited to a particular manufacturer, make, or model.

Having transitioned out of patient care and into Leadership & Growth Operations, Dr. Hecker is actively building her version of hearing healthcare to be accessible to a greater population. Furthermore, as an Employer, she strives to employ an equitable and inclusive team. Each of the clinics is co-managed by a team of Directors. Dr. Hecker leads this team to ensure that the company’s core values are instilled on every level and that each clinic delivers an environment and experience in alignment with those values.

Going beyond the reach of those who come to the clinic, Dr. Hecker is passionate about sharing the company’s resources to support the local PNW community. The NWH+T team participates in quarterly philanthropic activities to show our gratitude and support to our neighbors and other local businesses. 

Dr. Hecker grew up in Florida and has resided in Washington for the last decade. She is the mother of one wonderful son. Outside of her career, Dr. Hecker spends her time traveling, being outdoors, cooking, running, and reading.

Education you can trust

• Doctor of Audiology : Towson University

A strong commitment to continuing education & professional contact

• Past President: Washington State Academy of Audiology
• Certificate Holder—Tinnitus Management (CH-TM™)

Kindra Veith, Au.D., MHA, CH-TM

Director of Audiology

In addition to providing patient care as an Audiologist at our Seattle location, Dr. Veith oversees the clinical protocols and procedures across all locations as the Director of Audiology. In this leadership role, she ensures all team members are following best practices and that each patient receives stellar care in accordance with our company’s core values.

In alignment with these values, Dr. Veith oversees our quarterly philanthropic efforts. Her leadership role helps guide our clinical staff in their continuing education and commitment to personal and professional development. Additionally, Dr. Veith uses her education and experience to mentor aspiring Audiologists during their clinical rotations.

Casey King

Director of Operations

Casey King is the Director of Operations at Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus.

Casey recently moved to Seattle from New York City, where he spent the last 5 years managing fitness centers. He’s passionate about improving the patient and employee experience, always striving to create industry-leading standards in every aspect of operations. Casey received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Sociology with a minor in Business Administration.

In his free time, you can find him rock climbing, roller skating, and dancing. He enjoys staying active and spending as much time as possible with friends and family.

Marian Brightwell

Digital + Graphic Designer

Marian Brightwell is the Digital + Graphic Designer at Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus.

She lives in Henderson, Nevada but was born and raised in the Philippines. She is fluent in Tagalog and English.  

Marian fuses her creative skills and passion for digital and graphic design to keep Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus’s marketing content and materials up-to-date, aesthetically pleasing and fun! She also manages our social media platforms to provide up-to-date hearing health information to our online readers.

Marian holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Entrepreneurship. She also loves to travel, watch movies, be outdoors and spend time with her husband, son and puppy.

Marian aims to deliver the latest news and updates on hearing health and audiology to our patients at Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus!