Providers

Our Providers

Hearing & Balance Specialists of Kansas City is a clinician-owned private practice specializing in hearing loss, tinnitus and sound sensitivity, dizziness and imbalance, concussion, auditory processing disorders. Hearing & Balance also provides customized rehabilitative plans through hearing aids and other amplification options, physical therapy, and speech therapy.

Owner/Audiologist

Samuel Bittel, Au.D.

Dr. Bittel is a specialist in the evaluation and treatment of vestibular disorders, dizziness, disequilibrium, and vertigo. He is regularly invited lecturer locally and nationally, is actively involved in research, and well published in the scientific literature.

"Dr. Bittel is the most warm and caring health professional I have ever gone to see. He is very thorough and knows his work very well and explains everything wonderfully. Highly recommend!"

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Owner/Audiologist

Laura Flowers, Au.D.

Dr. Flowers has been identifying, evaluating, and managing hearing loss, tinnitus, and sound sensitivity conditions for more than two decades. Her passion for providing excellence in hearing health care has been fundamental to successful interactions and lifelong relationships with her patients and their families.

"As a drummer and musician my experience with tinnitus/ sound sensitivity has been terrifying. Dr. Flowers helped me understand my limitations and helped me overcome some of my fears. I'm still working through this life changing challenge and I'm still in contact with her. Dr. Flowers knew how to talk to me and together we're finding the right tools for me to move forward. I've seen 2 other doctors and I can say with confidence that she was the most informative and understanding. This is not easy, but she has helped more than anyone so far."

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Owner/Audiologist

Lainey Lake, Au.D.

Dr. Lake specializes in diagnosing hearing loss and tinnitus, offering her patients the most advanced hearing aid technology available. Her goal is to improve her patients’ lives through better hearing and auditory rehabilitation.

"Today was my first appointment with an Audiologist and I couldn't be happier! The staff was very friendly and helpful. My appointment with Dr. Lake was incredible! Dr. Lake was very thorough, didn't rush through the appointment, answered any questions I had, and sat down with me to explain all my results. Thank you, Dr. Lake and staff!"

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Lead Audiologist

Claire Thomas, Au.D.

Dr. Thomas is a specialist in evaluation and management of a hearing loss, central auditory processing disorder, tinnitus, and sound sensitivities. She integrates creativity into her work through patient-centered care that is unique to each individual patient and their families.

Audiologist

Kit Frank, Au.D.

Dr. Frank specializes in diagnosing and treating Auditory Processing Disorders (APD). She is passionate about making an individualized treatment plan for her patients that will significantly improve their quality of life. Dr. Frank strives to make APD services more accessible by providing both in-person and telehealth options for ages 3 years old and up. She brings considerable experience from working in diversified settings in both Las Vegas and New York City. As a former Rockhurst Hawk and Nebraska Husker, Dr. Frank is thrilled to be back in the midwest to raise her three sons and provide her patients with the best care possible.

Audiologist

Jessica Johnson, Au.D.

Dr. Johnson received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and went on to receive her audiology doctoral degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center. A fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, Dr. Johnson is a life-long hard-of-hearing individual who has utilized amplification personally since age 14. She is passionate about providing patients with empathetic, evidence-based care. Her specialties include diagnostic hearing evaluation, hearing aids, tinnitus management, and auditory processing disorders evaluation and treatment.

Audiologist

Karli Reichert Au.D.

A native of Kansas City, Dr. Reichert completed her undergraduate studies at Rockhurst University where she played volleyball, and continued her studies to become a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Born with hearing loss, Karli has been seeing audiologists her whole life; Dr. Lake fit her with her first hearing aid!

Audiologist

Kelsey Yeagle, Au.D.

Dr. Yeagle offers comprehensive hearing and vestibular evaluations with tailored solutions to enhance patients' quality of life. She specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the auditory and vestibular system. Dr. Yeagle is originally from Tulsa, OK and is a graduate of The University of Kansas Medical Center.

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Audiologist

Emilee Campisi, Au.D.

Emilee is originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. She earned her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. In her spare time, Emilee enjoys reading and spending time with her fiancé and their two cats, Cheese and Burger.

Audiologist

Claire Kippenbrock, Au.D.

Claire is originally from Southern Illinois and earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Illinois State University. She went on to complete her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) at Missouri State University, finishing her clinical externship right here at Hearing & Balance Specialists. Now a full member of the team, Claire is excited to continue serving patients in a place that already feels like home.

Audiologist

Jessie Lycans, Au.D.

Jessie earned a B.S. in Family Studies and Human Services Communication Sciences and Disorders from Kansas State University, where she first became fascinated by the pathophysiology and anatomy behind audiology. Originally from Barboursville, West Virginia, she chose to stay in the Kansas City area to complete her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) at The University of Kansas Medical Center. Now part of the team at Hearing & Balance Specialists, Jessie is passionate about improving communication and quality of life through personalized care—particularly for patients dealing with tinnitus, sound sensitivity, and vestibular system conditions.

Audiologist

Dilon Jones, Au.D.

Dr. Dilon Jones provides comprehensive care for hearing and balance disorders, including hearing loss, dizziness, and vertigo. Originally from Arkansas, he earned his undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Arkansas and his Doctorate of Audiology from Missouri State University. He completed his clinical externship at the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Audiology Assistant

Abby Hamilton

Abby is an Audiology Assistant dedicated to helping patients on their path to better hearing and communication. She works alongside audiologists to perform hearing tests, assist with hearing aid adjustments, and provide education on hearing care. A Lee’s Summit native and MCCKC graduate, Abby began her journey at Hearing and Balance at the front desk. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Max, and their two dogs, Gypsy and Ash.

Neuropsychologist, Licensed Psychologist

Lindsay Vo, PsyD

Dr. Vo is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in clinical neuropsychology. Neuropsychologists often work closely with other medical providers to help identify any possible memory or thinking problems as well as explore what might be causing those issues.

Physical Therapist

Thomas Reuther, DPT, OCS

Dr. Reuther specializes in the treatment of patients with dizziness and vestibular disorders, imbalance, concussions, and musculoskeletal or neurological disorders requiring physical therapy care. He also has experience treating a wide variety of orthopedic conditions.

Speech-Language Pathologist & Dyslexia Specialist

Laura Frye, MA, SpEd, MS, CCC-SLP

Laura Frye has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of dyslexia. She provides dyslexia evaluations for families all around the greater Kansas City area.

Extern

Ghina Fare

Ghina Fares is a doctoral resident at H&B, currently completing her Doctor of Audiology degree at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Originally from Lebanon, she was drawn to audiology by a desire to help others reconnect with the world around them. Ghina completed a student rotation at H&B, where the supportive and knowledgeable team reinforced her passion for the field and solidified her decision to return for her externship. Her clinical interests include tinnitus and vestibular audiology.

Fun fact: Ghina speaks three languages—and can play the guitar backwards