Our 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, 2019
• Master of Health Care Administration: Pacific University, 2019
• Bachelor of Science in Health Science: Portland State University, 2015

A strong commitment to continuing education & professional contact

• Member: Washington State Academy of Audiology

Erika Best-Kay, Au.D., CH-TM

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Erika Best received her Doctorate of Audiology from Louisiana State University. Prior to moving to New Orleans for her Doctorate, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Florida International University in Miami, near where she grew up. Dr. Best spent much of her childhood traveling to South America visiting family in Uruguay. Fluent in Spanish, she enjoys helping a diverse population by providing the best hearing healthcare possible.

Dr. Best is an ABA certified in tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance management and finds the challenging nature of treating those with tinnitus to be extremely rewarding. Prior to practicing at NWHT, Dr. Best worked in the hearing aid manufacturing industry as a technology specialist for the Northwest region. She enjoyed using her problem-solving skills and attention to detail to address challenging situations and assisting Audiologists with their most puzzling cases. She is passionate about building strong relationships with patients and their families and helping people get the most from their hearing technology. Dr. Best enjoys being part of a collaborative team to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders.

When not helping people hear, Dr. Best enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She particularly enjoys fishing, camping, being out in the sun, and keeping up with the most interesting TV shows and movies.

Education you can trust

• Doctor of Audiology: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 2017
• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology: Florida International University, 2011

Tyler Ellis, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA

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 is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 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. 

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
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Melanie K. Hecker, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology & Owner

Dr. Hecker received her Doctorate of Audiology from Towson University, in Maryland following obtaining a Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida.

Dr. Hecker is the owner of Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus. She loves ensuring a healthy team culture, fun and positive work atmosphere for patients and staff and the best patient experience possible for all that come into the clinic.

She has provided patient care in a multitude of clinical settings, varying from ENT and hospital; however, her preferred clinical setting is in private practice due to the closer relationship that can be developed by provider and patient as well as the individualized care that can be provided. Dr. Hecker’s areas of expertise are tinnitus and hearing loss diagnosis and treatment. Melanie 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 grew up in Florida and has resided in Washington for the last 8 years. She is the mother to one wonderful son. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Hecker spends her time traveling, being outdoors, cooking and reading. She was happy to serve as President of the Washington State Academy of Audiology in 2019 and now continues to assist as Past-President.

Education you can trust

• Doctor of Audiology: Towson University, 2010
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders: University of Florida, 2006

Rebecca Mooney, Au.D. CCC-A

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Rebecca Mooney earned her Master’s Degree in Audiology from the University of Washington in 1989. When the field of Audiology transitioned to the doctorate, she earned her Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) from AT Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences. Dr. Mooney joined the Hearing Healthcare Center, Inc. team in June of 2012.

Dr. Mooney is committed to providing professional, high quality, and honest hearing healthcare to meet your individual hearing needs. She will work with you as a whole to find the solution that best meets your lifestyle, as well as your hearing needs.

When not working, Dr. Mooney enjoys spending time with her family, camping, hiking and making pottery.

Madison Cole, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Madison Cole received her Doctorate of Audiology from Pacific University, in Hillsboro, Oregon. Prior to obtaining her doctorate, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.

Dr. Cole completed her Audiology Residency at Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic in Redmond, Washington. While there, Dr. Cole completed rotations that included audiological intervention services, tinnitus management, vestibular diagnostics, and comprehensive audiologic assessments in both the adult and pediatric populations.

She enjoys working with a collaborative team that delivers the most precise and quality patient care.

Dr. Cole is from the Arlington, Washington area and is excited to provide care to her new community in Olympia. Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Cole enjoys traveling, baking, craft beer, reading, and spending time with as many dogs as possible. 

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” Robinson

Patient Care Coordinator

Traciemichael “Tee” Robinson 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.

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.

Katielynn “Kayte” Maza, BA, HIS

Director of Marketing

Kayte Maza was born and raised in Chicago, IL where she obtained a Bachelors degree in American Sign Language Interpretation / Deaf Studies. Before that, she studied Communication Sciences and Disorders at Saint Xavier University. She is a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist.

As a passionate accessibility advocate, Kayte works to ensure that NWH+T can serve the greater Seattle area in their hearing healthcare needs by promoting the company brand and services. She works in collaboration with the NWH+T creative team as a content creator, marketing strategist, and as the client facing company brand representative.

Kayte works behind the scenes from Wisconsin where she lives with her husband, Gabino who is completing his fellowship in Nephrology. Kayte & Gabino started their family this Summer 2021, welcoming the arrival of their first born, Gaston Giovanni. They look forward to all the adventures to come with their newest family member and pup, Pason. 

Marian Brightwell

Digital + Graphic Designer

Marian Brightwell is the Marketing Coordinator and Executive Assistant 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 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, outdoor activities and play with her puppy dog. Marian is a proud new mom to her first son, Luke.

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

Angelica Cruz

Digital Content Coordinator

Angelica Cruz is the Administrative Assistant at Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus.

Angelica assists in taking care of the needs of our Doctors and administrative staff so they can focus better on our patients. She also makes sure that our online audiences are updated daily through our social media platforms.

Prior to working with the Northwest Hearing and Tinnitus team, Angelica flew South East Asia as a flight attendant, an airline in the Philippines. She has also worked for several entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom as a virtual administrative assistant and customer service representative.

Angelica is based in the Philippines and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism. She speaks English, Tagalog, some Cebuano and Bisaya languages – which are just a few of the many dialects of her home country.

Angelica enjoys her free time by exercising, watching movies, enjoying outdoor activities and spending time with her daughter, Anika.

Her ultimate goal is to travel the world and have the best life for Anika.