Our Doctors

Jenifer Cushing, Au.D. is the professional director of Live Better Hearing and primary audiologist in the Rockville and Frederick offices location.

She graduated with a Doctorate in Clinical Audiology from the University at Buffalo and, while there, published over twenty peer reviewed scientific articles while working at the Center for Hearing and Deafness, more than any other graduating audiology clinician before her. Her expertise is in hearing diagnostics and hearing aids, and she has a unique expertise in electrophysiological measures because of her graduate research.

Education/Training

• Au.D. From University at Buffalo
• B.A. Hearing Speech Science from University of Maryland at College Park

Licenses & Certifications

• Maryland Audiology License
• Audiology license in District of Columbia

Specialty Areas

• Assessment and treatment of hearing and balance disorders in patients of all ages

Provider At

• Frederick, MD

Dr. Alamillo received his Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences, as well as his Doctor of Audiology degree from Indiana University Bloomington. A proud Hoosier born and raised, Dr. Alamillo now serves as a clinical audiologist at Live Better Hearing + Balance in the DMV region.

Dr. Alamillo is a strong advocate for interprofessional collaboration and patient-centered care; his professional interests include audiologic diagnostic testing, aural rehabilitation through amplification, and vestibular diagnostics. His personal interests include exploring DC’s Michelin star restaurants and taking any opportunity to safely travel abroad, particularly back to Western Europe where he spent a sizable amount of time studying and working in France.

Brandon Adawi is a dedicated and knowledgeable National Board Certified hearing instrument specialist licensed in Maryland who is passionate about providing high-quality hearing healthcare services to his clients. With a decade of experience in hearing healthcare, he has developed a deep understanding of best practices in the industry and is committed to using the latest technologies to ensure his clients receive the best possible care.

Brandon’s expertise in real ear measurements makes him a valuable resource for anyone seeking accurate and reliable hearing testing and fitting services. Real ear measurements are an essential part of hearing healthcare, and Brandon is committed to making sure his clients receive this critical component of their treatment. Real ear measurements involve placing a small microphone in the patient’s ear canal to measure the sound levels of their hearing aids. This allows Brandon to fine-tune the settings of the device to ensure it is providing the optimal level of amplification for each client’s individual prescriptive needs.

In addition to his expertise in real ear measurements, Brandon is also committed to providing his clients with the highest level of care and attention. He takes the time to listen to his clients’ concerns and works with them to develop individualized treatment plans that meet their unique needs. Whether you are seeking a hearing evaluation, hearing aid fitting, or other hearing healthcare services, you can trust Brandon to provide the expertise and compassion you need to achieve optimal hearing health.

Education/Training

• B.A. in Communication at Brigham Young University Idaho

Licenses & Certifications

• Maryland Hearing Instrument Specialist license #02761

Specialty Areas

• Hearing Aids

Provider At

• Frederick, MD

Quote

“Society is secretly driven by sales.” – Peter Thiel

Awards & Honors

Dr. Alyssa Bhat is the audiologist at our offices in Midlothian, Henrico and Mechanicsville. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Dr. Bhat earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The Ohio State University in Ohio, where she also minored in Disability studies.

She subsequently went on to pursue her doctorate degree at Northwestern University, eventually joining Ohio ENT and Allergy Physicians/ Hearing Health solutions as a doctoral resident before graduating and becoming a full-time audiologist at Live Better Hearing. Her clinical rotations also included Northwestern Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, Sertoma Speech and Hearing Center, Hearing Professionals of Illinois, and Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning . Her doctoral thesis, “Hidden Hearing Loss,” concentrated on patients’ difficulty with speech-in-noise utilizing electrophysiology, auditory processing tasks, otoacoustic emissions, subjective questionnaires, and other audiological assessments.

Dr. Bhat specializes in diagnostic hearing testing and vestibular assessments. She places a great deal of emphasis on health literacy among patients from all backgrounds, and she enjoys working with patients of all ages and abilities. Her clinical interests include tinnitus management, hearing aids, implantable devices, and auditory processing across the lifespan.

Outside of the office, Dr. Bhat likes to spend time hiking outdoors, cooking, baking, and playing with her two dogs.

Provider At

• Midlothian, VA
• Henrico, VA
• Mechanicsville, VA

Dr. Rachel Bond is an Audiologist at our office in Pikesville, Maryland. Originally from this area, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders from Towson University and her Doctorate in Audiology at Salus University. Some of her clinical rotations included The Pennsylvania Ear Institute, ENT Head and Neck Specialists, and The Maryland School for the Deaf.

Dr. Bond’s primary audiological interests are hearing aids and diagnostic vestibular evaluation. Her desire to help others enable her to provide quality care to each of her patients and treat on a more holistic level. She cherishes the connections she makes with each of her patients every day. In her spare time, Dr. Bond likes to spend time with her family and friends, vacation at the beach, travel, and stay active.

Dr. Rebecca Book is one of the Audiologists at our office in Pasadena, Maryland. A Baltimore native, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology, Audiology, and Deaf Studies and her Doctorate in Audiology from Towson University. Her doctoral thesis concentrated on the design of a classroom screening protocol for school-age children. Since graduating, she has worked at Johns Hopkins, Bayview and has experience working closely with ENT physicians. She has been working in a private practice setting for more than ten years.

Dr. Book is passionate about helping her local community by providing care to people with hearing loss. Her expertise in digital hearing aid technology and diagnostics enables her to provide high-quality care while forming meaningful relationships with her patients.

When she is not in the office, Dr. Book enjoys spending time with her family and playing with her toddler.

Dr. Stacey Samuels Cole is the Audiologist at our offices in Annapolis and Ellicott City, Maryland. She earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Pharmacology and Rehabilitation Science from Xavier University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University Medical Center, respectively. She also obtained Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Rehabilitation Science with a concentration in geriatric clinical health issues. Dr. Cole relocated to Maryland in 1997 to pursue studies in Audiology at the University of Maryland in College Park, where she earned her Master of Arts degree in 2002 and Doctor of Audiology degree in 2014.

She currently holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) and is state-licensed. Professional memberships include: Fellow of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology; The American Board of Audiology; the American Speech and Hearing Language Association (ASHA); the International Hearing Society (IHS); and the American Academy of Audiology (Fellow-AAA). In June of 2015, Dr. Cole was appointed to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists. Dr. Cole’s dissertation focused on the impact of cognition (working memory) and hearing loss on speech perception in the geriatric population, for which she was awarded the 2014 Student Mentored American Auditory Society Award.

Dr. Stacey Samuels Cole is dedicated to the provision of excellent hearing/balance healthcare. She ensures her ability to provide the best clinical services to her patients by maintaining cutting-edge knowledge of auditory/vestibular methodology. Her areas of expertise include audiological rehabilitation (i.e. hearing aids/amplification systems), cognition (working memory) and speech perception, and vestibular/balance testing and rehabilitation. It is important to her that each patient is educated on his or her hearing/balance status and applies this information to determine the best course of individualized treatment. Dr. Cole resides with her husband and daughter, Camille, in Ellicott City, Maryland. She enjoys white-water rafting, traveling, furniture restoration, and most of all, gardening.

Education/Training

• B.S.: Pharmacology @ Xavier University of Louisiana
• B.S.& M.S. in Rehabiliation Science @ Louisiana State University Medical Center
• Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science with a concentration in geriatric clinical health issues
• M.A. and Au.D./Ph.D in Audiology @ Univerisity of Maryland College Park

Licenses & Certifications

• Maryland Audiology License
• Louisiana Audiology License
• Maryland Board of Examiners Member

Specialty Areas

• Assessment and treatments of hearing and balance disorders

Quote

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and loving how you do it.” – Maya Angelou

Provider At

• Annapolis, MD
• Ellicot City, MD

Dr. Sidorela Doçi is the Audiologist at our offices in Midlothian and Richmond, Virginia. She is originally from Bronx, NY, and currently resides in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated with a Doctorate in Audiology from Syracuse University and, while there, worked at the Auditory Electrophysiology Lab where she gained extensive knowledge in electrophysiological measures. She completed her residency at the Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center where she performed hearing, balance, and auditory processing evaluations. She currently holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology (CCC-A) and is licensed in the state of Virginia.

Dr. Doçi enjoys working with people of all ages providing hearing and balance healthcare. She values patient education and enjoys ensuring the patient is informed about their hearing and balance testing and treatment options.

In her spare time, Sidorela likes to stay active with her two Siberian Huskies, Denali and Elias and trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Provider At

• Waldorf, MD

Scott C. Elbert is Live Better Hearing’s audiologist at the Fredericksburg office. He has had the privilege to serve patients in the Fredericksburg area since 2001.

He is a Virginia licensed audiologist, a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, and a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist. He specializes in diagnostic hearing testing, hearing aids, and earwax removal.

Scott earned his Master of Audiology degree from the University of South Carolina – Columbia and his Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Towson State University. As a routine part of every examination, his patients are typically subjected to a multitude of corny jokes, and for that, we apologize in advance.

Scott enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and four children. This usually consists of activities related to soccer games, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and volunteering with his church.

Dr. Glenn Elms is an audiologist at the Rockville, MD office. He is originally from Arizona and moved to the east coast with his fiancé for graduate school. He graduated with a doctorate in Audiology from Salus University in Elkins Park, PA in 2021. He graduated from undergraduate at the University of Arizona cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in German.His main interests include tinnitus and testing and hearing aid services for adult and pediatric patients. He enjoys speaking with patients to find out more about their daily life and help to recommend the best course of treatment.He was President of the Student Academy of Doctors of Audiology in 2021, focusing on advocating for increased patient access to audiology services. In his spare time, Dr. Elms enjoys traveling, kayaking, hiking, and spending his spare time with his fiancée and their two cats.

Education/Training

• B.S. in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona
• B.A. in German from the University of Arizona
• Au.D. from Salus University
• Licenses & Certifications
  • Maryland Audiology License
  • Pennsylvania Audiology License
  • Member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology
  • Fellow Member of the American Academy of Audiology

Anders holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and has audiological training from the Towson University Doctorate of Audiology program. He has served as a hearing aid specialist in a variety of settings including Miracle-Ear, Costco, and a variety of private practices. His patients are delighted with his dedication and pursuit of excellence when it comes to their hearing needs. Making himself available to his patients is a high priority and he focuses on going the extra mile. In his free time, Anders is a professional musician playing drums both domestically and internationally. He has played at many of the local prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Richard Ronald Gomes is a highly skilled and experienced dispensing hearing instrument specialist with eight years of experience in the field of Audiology. He is licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Iowa and is dedicated to staying current with the latest practices in his field. Gomes is committed to providing exceptional care to his patients and believes their needs should always be his top priority. He is known for his strong work ethic and dedication to providing the best possible care.

Dr. Shelley Hamilton is a NJ Licensed Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser with over 20 years of experience in various settings. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hearing and Speech Science from the University of Maryland in College Park; she then earned her Masters of Arts degree from Trenton State College, where she had clinic rotations in private practices, campus clinics, and Outpatient VA Centers. In 2005, she received her Doctor of Audiology degree from Arizona School of Health Science.

Dr. Hamilton started her career with the New York City Board of Education, providing deaf and hard of hearing children with classroom and personal FM systems throughout Brooklyn. In 1998, she moved back to the Jersey Shore, where she worked in private audiology and hearing aid dispensing practices throughout the state until 2011. She worked for audiologic equipment manufacturers as an Account Executive and Field Trainer until 2017 before returning to direct patient care with an ENT practice.

Dr. Hamilton enjoys working with older patients, guiding them on their journey to better hearing and an improved quality of life. Setting realistic expectations and improving communication for patients and their families motivates her in her work.

Dr. Hamilton currently lives in Sea Girt with her son, Jack. She enjoys walking on the boardwalk, attending music festivals, solving jigsaw puzzles, and reading mystery novels. She is also an avid New York Ranger fan.

Education/Training

• Arizona School Of Health Sciences, Mesa, Az, Doctor Of Audiology
• College Of New Jersey, Trenton, Nj, Master Of Arts Degree: Audiology
• University Of Maryland, College Park, Md, Bachelor Of Arts: Hearing And Speech Science

Specialty Areas

• Diagnosis and management of audiological and vestibular pathologies
• Cochlear implants
• OAE
• ABR
• VNG
• Tinnitus management
• Aural rehabilitation
• Central auditory processing
• Hearing conservation
• Cerumen management

Provider At

• West Long Branch, NJ

Sandra Fields Kuhn is an audiologist trained in identifying hearing problems and managing those who cannot be treated medically. Sandra specializes in pediatric, geriatric, and educational audiology, as well as current hearing aid technology. She holds a doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida and is involved in several professional associations.

Provider At

• West Long Branch, NJ

Dr. Cindy Leeb is a highly regarded expert in audiology in Montgomery County, Maryland. She has been an audiologist with Live Better Hearing + Balance since 1015. Dr. Leeb earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland and her Doctorate in Audiology from Northwestern University.

Dr. Leeb loves facilitating positive transformations in her patients’ lives by helping patients achieve their best hearing through state-of-the-art technology. She finds fulfillment in helping people reconnect with family and friends and engage in activities that they have not been able to enjoy due to hearing loss. She also celebrates each little victory with her patients, such as turning down the television, so the rest of the family is happy with the volume or actively participates in group discussions and family gatherings.

In her free time, Dr. Leeb enjoys baking and cake decorating, as well as spending time with her husband and two children.

Provider At

• MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, MD
• ROCKVILLE, MD
• SILVER SPRING, MD

Dr. Tara Mango is an audiologist at our West Long Branch office in New Jersey. Dr Mango earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from the State University of New York at Fredonia and her Doctoral degree in Audiology from the University at Buffalo. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York where she returned to complete her residency. Dr. Mango is licensed by the State of New Jersey and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Dr. Mango is a passionate audiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. She enjoys working with the latest hearing technology to improve the hearing healthcare of her patients of all ages. Dr. Mango is also able to provide tinnitus evaluations, auditory processing disorder evaluations and is a certified Phonak Lyric provider.

In her spare time, Dr. Mango enjoys listening to podcasts and audiobooks. She also loves trying new restaurants and spending time with her family and friends!

Dr. Shannon Wrabel is the Audiologist at our office in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland. She received her Doctorate in Audiology from Towson University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Her graduate clinical rotations included the Baltimore County School System, Saint Agnes Hospital, Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Baltimore Veterans Administration. Her main interests include hearing aids, assistive listening devices and the geriatric population. She has been servicing the hearing healthcare needs of patients in the Lutherville-Timonium area since 2006, eventually joining Live Better Hearing in 2012. Dr. Wrabel values continuous education, staying informed on all new technology releases; she prides herself on being able to service all makes and models of hearing aids. Her primary focuses are customer service, attention to detail, and exceeding the expectations of her patients.

In 2017, Dr. Wrabel received a Guiding Principles Award for her outstanding work ethic and performance, particularly her willingness to spend time training new staff members.

Education/Training

• B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology
• West Virginia University Au.D. Towson University
• Licenses & Certifications
• Maryland Audiology License
• Specialty Areas
• Hearing aids and other assistive listening devices

Provider At

• Timonium, MD

Quote

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Jennifer Young, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA

Dr. Jennifer Young is an audiologist at our Henrico and Midlothian office locations in Virginia. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Hearing Disorders from James Madison University, where she was a graduate research assistant at the auditory research lab. Her clinical rotations included University of Virginia Medical Center, George Washington Hospital, and Georgetown University Medical Center. Dr. Young earned her clinical Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (FAAA).

Dr. Young is dedicated to providing excellent, individualized, compassionate audiology care using best practices. She prioritizes helping her patients understand their hearing and balance condition and their recommended treatment options. She finds it rewarding to be able to guide patients toward an improved quality of life. Dr. Young’s clinical interests include hearing diagnostics, remediation of hearing loss through amplification and assistive devices, balance assessment, and electrophysiological testing.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Young appreciates the beauty and history of Virginia, which is her husband’s home state. When outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, her cats, walking, piano, parks, museums, and cooking.

Dr. Lauren Wright received her Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.) at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and her undergraduate degree at Towson University in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Deaf Studies. She is proficient in American Sign Language. She is also an expert in vestibular testing, hearing aids, and comprehensive diagnostic audiological assessments.

Dr. Wright has a passion for helping others communicate with their loved ones. And she strives to provide the best patient care and experience possible for every patient she sees at every appointment.

Dr. Wright can be found on a basketball or volleyball court or cuddled up with her dogs reading a good book in her free time.

Provider At

• Waldorf, MD