Meet Our Team

  • Chrissy Lemley
    AuD, Board Certified, F-AAA
    Audiologist & Owner
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    Chrissy Lemley, owner, was awarded her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2011 from West Virginia University. She also holds a B.S. in speech pathology and audiology as well as certification in geriatric studies. In addition to being board-certified by the American Board of Audiology, she is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and is an adjunct instructor and clinical supervisor at West Virginia University. Dr. Lemley has practiced audiology since 2011 in an ENT setting, specializing in comprehensive adult and pediatric evaluations, hearing systems and rehabilitation, and cochlear implants.

  • Jana Brown
    AuD, Board Certified, F-AAA
    Audiologist & Founder
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    Founder of Allegany Hearing & Balance Center, Dr. Brown earned her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2004 from the Arizona School of Health Science and holds a Master of Science degree from West Virginia University. She was appointed by the Governor to a four-year term on the Maryland Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, and Music Therapy. Board certified by the American Board of Audiology, she’s a member and past president of the Maryland Academy of Audiology; a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, where she recently received her fourth Scholar Award; and a fellow of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, which honored her with the Leo Doerfler Award in 2017.

  • Kari Harsh
    AuD, Board Certified, F-AAA
    Audiologist
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    Kari Harsh earned her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2011 from West Virginia University and also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology and audiology. She is a fellow of both the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and is board certified by the American Board of Audiology. At Allegany Hearing & Balance Center, Dr. Harsh specializes in balance testing and rehabilitation, comprehensive adult and pediatric evaluations, and hearing systems and rehabilitation.

  • Chelsea Lambie
    AuD, Board Certified, F-AAA
    Audiologist
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    Chelsea Lambie was awarded her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2020 and her B.S. in speech pathology and audiology in 2016 from West Virginia University. She completed her audiology residency at Allegany Hearing & Balance Center and joined the team in June 2020. In addition to being board-certified by the American Board of Audiology, she is also a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and is a member of the American Tinnitus Association. She specializes in tinnitus evaluation and management, comprehensive adult and pediatric evaluations, hearing systems and rehabilitation, and cochlear implants.

  • Sarah Hart
    AuD, Board Certified, F-AAA
    Audiologist
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    Sarah Hart completed her Doctor of Audiology degree at West Virginia University in 2020. She also obtained her B.S. in speech-language pathology and audiology from WVU. Sarah completed her residency at the Balance and Ear Center in Richmond, Virginia. She is a fellow of both the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and is board-certified by the American Board of Audiology. At Allegany Hearing & Balance Center, Dr. Hart specializes in comprehensive pediatric and adult evaluations, hearing systems, bone-anchored hearing aids, and cochlear implants. She also specializes in balance testing and rehabilitation.

  • Katie Richards
    Audiology Assistant
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    Katie joined Allegany Hearing & Balance Center in 2024. She graduated from Frostburg State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Business Administration. Katie lives in Frostburg, Maryland, with her fiancé, Shane. Katie is an audiology assistant and performs selected tasks such as assisting patients with hearing aid cleanings, pairing hearing aids to accessories and cell phones, completing documentation for hearing aid sales, and competing and processing payment agreements.

  • Krista Phillips
    Office Manager
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    Krista Phillips started her career at Allegany Hearing & Balance Center in 1994 and is currently the Office Manager of both the LaVale and Oakland locations. She graduated from Beall High School in Frostburg, Maryland, where she lives with her husband, Jeff. Krista oversees all the administrative functions within the office. She manages schedules, trainings, and meetings, maintains efficient office policies and procedures, and supervises all front- and back-office positions.

  • Dana Foltz
    Financial Specialist
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    Dana has an associate’s degree in applied science in information systems technology and medical office administration from West Virginia University Potomac State College. She joined Allegany Hearing & Balance Center in May 2012 and has over 22 years of administrative and insurance billing experience. Born and raised in wild and wonderful West Virginia, Dana grew up in Sistersville and graduated from Tyler Consolidated High School in 1998.

  • MaryLou Dawson
    Administrative Assistant
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    Mary Lou Dawson joined Allegany Hearing & Balance Center in 2014. She resides in Garrett County, Maryland, with her husband, Erich. Mary Lou assists our financial specialist with billing and is our VA liaison. She also implements our collection process and provides backup for our patient care coordinators.

  • Heather Shapiro
    Patient Care Coordinator
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    Heather Shapiro joined Allegany Hearing & Balance Center in June 2023. Heather resides in Preston County, WV, with her husband Jason and their two children, Hillary and Logan. Heather has worked many years in medical office settings and emergency services. She is our patient care coordinator for our Oakland location and handles scheduling, patient check-ins/check-outs, and outbound calling.

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      About Our Practice

      Since 2003, Allegany Hearing & Balance Center has been serving and supporting the surrounding LaVale and Oakland, MD, communities. We are committed to guiding you in making informed decisions that enhance your life through improved hearing and balance health care. Our approach is rooted in best practices, respect, and compassionate service.

      Our Specializations

      • Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)
        Recommendations and fitting of ALDs such as personal amplifiers, FM systems, or loop systems to improve hearing in specific listening situations.
      • Auditory Rehabilitation
        Individualized programs to help individuals with hearing loss develop better communication strategies and improve listening skills.
      • Balance Assessments
        Evaluation of balance and vestibular function, including videonystagmography (VNG), electronystagmography (ENG), and posturography tests.
      • Cochlear Implants
        Evaluation, candidacy determination, surgery referral, programming, and ongoing support for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who may benefit from cochlear implant technology.
      • Counseling and Education
        Information and support regarding hearing loss, hearing conservation, communication strategies, and coping mechanisms for individuals and their families.
      • Custom Earplugs and Earmolds
        Creation and fitting of custom-made earplugs for hearing protection, swimming, musicians, and other specific needs. Also includes earmolds for hearing aids or in-ear monitors.
      • Hearing Aid Fitting and Repair
        Selection, fitting, and programming of hearing aids to address hearing loss. This includes counseling on the proper use and maintenance of hearing aids.
      • Hearing Evaluations
        Comprehensive assessments to evaluate hearing abilities, including pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing.
      • Industrial Audiology
        Workplace hearing evaluations, noise exposure assessments, and recommendations for hearing conservation programs to prevent occupational hearing loss.
      • Pediatric Audiology
        Specialized services for children, including hearing screenings, diagnostic evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and educational support for parents and caregivers.
      • Tinnitus Evaluation and Management
        Assessment, counseling, and development of strategies to manage tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sound in the ears).

        Payments Accepted

        • American Express
        • Cash
        • Check
        • Credit Card
        • Discover
        • Insurance (call to verify)
        • Mastercard
        • Visa

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