CHRISTINE SCHELLIN, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Christine Schellin received her B.S. in Speech Pathology/Audiology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1999, an M.A. in Audiology from Western Washington University in 2001, and an Au.D. from Salus University in 2008. Prior to opening Silver State Hearing & Balance, Christine was a clinical audiologist at the VA Sierra Nevada HealthCare System for 6 years. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and is licensed by the Nevada State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech Pathology, the Nevada State Board of Hearing Aid Specialists and is licensed as a dispensing audiologist in the state of California. She served as vice president for the Nevada Speech Language and Hearing Association from 2004-2006. Christine’s clinical interests include diagnostic audiology, vestibular testing, hearing aids and cochlear implants. Outside of work, Christine enjoys spending time with her husband Scott and their three children.
RICHARD JOHNSON, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Rich Johnson completed his Bachelors degree at the University of Nevada – Reno, his masters degree at the University of Utah in 2001 and received his Doctorate of Audiology degree at Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology in 2004. He completed an internship at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Johnson is board certified in Audiology (ABA) and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA). He is a member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (ADA). He is state and nationally certified to practice audiology and dispense hearing aids in the state of Nevada and California.Dr. Johnson provides expertise in the areas of pediatric, infant, and adult behavioral and electro-acoustic diagnostic testing including Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing, Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) and Videonystagmography (ENG/VNG). He provides in- depth evaluations for diagnosing and treating hearing loss, as well as balance disorders. Dr. Johnson counsels and fits hearing aids and amplification devices, including assistive listening devices for all ages. In addition, new assessments and fittings for implantable nontraditional amplification (bone anchored hearing aids and lyric hearing aids) have been added to our services.
MICHAEL HODES, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Michael Hodes is a Clinical Audiologist at Silver State Hearing and Balance. He received his undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Nevada in 2003. He received his Doctorate degree in Audiology from Idaho State University in 2008. Dr. Hodes received his clinical training in a wide variety of settings. Dr. Hodes is passionate about philanthropy in his community and abroad. He currently volunteers with Boy Scouts of America and volunteers time with Toys for Tots just to name a few. Dr. Hodes lives in north Reno with his wife and four children. Two boys and adopted twin girls. Dr. Hodes is familiar with the familial struggles that hearing loss can cause as his oldest son has a permanent hearing loss.
DANIELLE MAY, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Danielle May, a Reno native, graduated from the University of Nevada – Reno in 2013, earning her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a minor in Developmental Disabilities. She graduated as the Valedictorian and Senior Scholar of her college. In 2017, Dr. May graduated from the University of Arizona where she received her Doctorate degree in Audiology. Dr. May completed an Arizona LEND fellowship (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) in 2016, and specializes in diagnosing and treating pediatric and adolescent populations. Her clinical interests include diagnostic audiology, vestibular testing, cochlear implants, and fitting pediatric and adult hearing aids. Dr. May is state certified to practice audiology and dispense hearing aids in the state of Nevada. Dr. May holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech- Language Hearing Association and is a member of that organization. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.Outside of work, Dr. May enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family. Dr. May and her husband have 3 dogs who love to go on adventures with them – on a hike, to the lake, to volleyball tournaments, to the park to play frisbee, etc. She enjoys snow skiing, water skiing, playing volleyball, and spending time with her family and dogs at Lake Almanor.
Heather L. Dean, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Heather Dean is an Audiologist in Carson City Nevada — a 20-minute drive from South Reno. As a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Audiology, Dr. Heather Dean has provided exceptional care to patients at Sierra Nevada Hearing Aid Center for over 14 years. Now, she brings her expertise to Silver State Hearing & Balance in Carson City, ensuring a seamless transition for her patients.
Dr. Heather Dean earned her Doctor of Audiology from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2005. She is passionate about helping people improve their hearing and takes the time to listen to her patients. Dr. Heather Dean is committed to caring for her customers and understanding their unique hearing needs. She ensures patients are fully satisfied with their hearing solutions.
Richie Panelli, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Richie Panelli, a third-generation Reno native, earned his Bachelor’s in Communicative Disorders from Utah State University, where he also competed as a Division 1 Track and Field athlete. He went on to receive his Master’s in Audiology from the University of Utah and later his Doctor of Audiology degree from A.T. Still University in Arizona.
Over his 20+ year career, Dr. Panelli has served on the Nevada State Hearing Specialists Licensing Board, volunteered with Liga International’s Flying Doctors of Mercy in Mexico, and completed advanced training with Earlens in Menlo Park, CA — making him one of the few audiologists nationally certified to insert, manipulate, and remove the device. He holds national certification from the American Academy of Audiology and is known for his patient-centered approach to hearing healthcare.
Dr. Mercedes Ramirez, Au.D., CCC-A
Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Ramirez is a clinical audiologist at Silver State Hearing and Balance. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Nevada, Reno, with emphasis in Indigenous Studies and Community Health Sciences. She went on to receive her Doctorate in Audiology from Pacific University’s Oregon School of Audiology, where she gained extensive clinical experience across a variety of settings. Dr. Ramirez holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. During her doctoral training, she served in several leadership positions and dedicated many volunteer hours to organizations such as the Special Olympics and other community-based programs.
A proud first-generation Indigenous audiologist, Dr. Ramirez was born and raised in Nevada. She is an enrolled member of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and is a direct descendant of both the Temoke Band of Western Shoshone and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. She is deeply committed to delivering culturally competent, patient-centered care grounded in compassion, integrity, and clinical excellence.
Dr. Ramirez provides audiological care for both adult and pediatric populations. Her clinical specialties include hearing aid fitting and counseling, videonystagmography (VNG) testing—including electronystagmography (ENG), auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) evaluations, otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing, cerumen removal, comprehensive hearing assessments, tinnitus evaluations, and hearing conservation to name a few.
Anthony C. Zamboni, M.D.
Doctor of Otolaryngology
Dr. Zamboni treats a wide scope of adult ear, nose, and throat disorders also. His surgical practice includes placement of ear tubes, adenotonsillectomy, nasal and sinus surgery, neck surgery, and oral and laryngeal surgery. His training in head and neck cancer includes thyroid masses and cancers, oral and laryngeal cancers, and the treatment of neck metastases. He also treats facial and neck skin cancer with special attention to both oncologic treatment and cosmetic closure. Dr. Zamboni is Board Certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
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