Our Experts
Aaron Jacobs
Aaron Jacobs worked as a clinical audiologist in Australia before starting at Sivantos Pty. Ltd. (formerly Siemens Hearing Instruments) as a product trainer. In 2010, Aaron relocated to Sivantos GmbH in Germany (formerly Siemens Audiologische Technik) where he was employed as a Software Product Manager. Since 2016, Aaron has worked in the Corporate Audiology department. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) from RMIT University and a Master of Clinical Audiology from the University of Melbourne.
Alastair Manders, Ph.D.
Dr. Alastair Manders grew up in south east England. In his late teens he moved further south to Hampshire, where he studied at Southampton University, obtaining a Bsc. in Acoustical Engineering and Music, and later an MSc. in Audiology. In 2012 he obtained his Ph.D in Audio signal processing. During the same year Alastair moved to Germany, where he currently works for Sivantos GmbH in research and development.
Beate Kraemer, M.A.
Beate has been with Sivantos GmbH for 15 years in various roles. Since 2012, she is the product manager for BTEs. Prior to joining Sivantos, then Siemens Audiologische Technik, Beate worked as key account manager for digital communication in various marketing agencies. Beate received her Master of Arts degree in Literature and Psychology from the Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen.
Carol Meyers, Au.D.
Dr. Carol Meyers is a Clinical Education Manager for Sivantos, Inc. She is responsible for the support and ongoing training of the Sivantos Educational Specialists. In this role, she trains staff and hearing care professionals in the U.S. on the company’s products, technology, software, services, and audiology-related topics at industry events, face-to-face meetings, in publications, and through virtual courses. Prior to joining Sivantos (then Siemens Hearing Instruments) in 2007, Dr. Meyers dedicated more than 25 years to clinical practice, during which she attained a comprehensive understanding of diagnostics, hearing aid technology, and how to address the communication needs of individuals. Dr. Meyers holds a doctorate degree in Audiology from Arizona School of Health Sciences and graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Nebraska.
Catherine Jons, Au.D.
Dr. Catherine Jons is a Clinical Education Specialist with Sivantos, Inc. She is responsible for training customers and staff on new developments in the areas of technology, products, and software. Catherine received her doctorate in Audiology from Central Michigan University, graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, and undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. Catherine previously worked as a clinical audiologist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins Hospital where her efforts were concentrated in the area of amplification.
Cecil Wilson, M.Sc.
Cecil Wilson received his M.Sc. degree in Signal processing from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He works in the hearing industry at WS Audiology since 2010. He is currently a Research Audiologist in the Sound and Fitting team. His key expertise is in automatic directional microphone systems for hearing aids and currently focuses on developing and optimization audiological features for hearing aid platforms.
Christina Hakvoort, MBA
Christina Hakvoort, currently heading the Premium Segment at Sivantos Product Management, has more than 10 years of experience in the hearing instrument business. Prior to joining Sivantos, she worked in the consumer good industry. Christina holds a degree in mechanical engineering and has an MBA from the European School of Management and Technology.
Christoph Lueken, M.Sc.
Christoph Lueken, M.Sc. is a Research Audiologist based in Erlangen, Germany. He studied Hearing Technology and Audiology at the University of Oldenburg. Since joining Sivantos GmbH in 2012, he has focused mainly on the audiological optimization of hearing instruments.
Claudia Pischel, M.Sc.
Ms. Pischel has been a research and development audiologist at Sivantos in Erlangen Germany since 2013. She holds a master craftsman’s certificate as a hearing care professional, and a M.Sc. in Audio Communication and Technology from the Technical University of Berlin, Germany.
Dirk Junius, Ph.D.
Dr. Dirk Junius is the head of global R&D audiology at Sivantos GmbH in Erlangen, Germany. He has a PhD in Physics from Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, specializing in acoustic and auditory research. He joined Sivantos (then Siemens Audiology Group) in 2005.
Dirk Mauler, Ph.D.
Dirk Mauler is a development engineer in Digital Signal Processing at Sivantos GmbH, Germany specializing in digital speech signal processing for hearing aid applications. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany.
Eric Branda, AuD, PhD
Dr. Eric Branda is an Audiologist and Director of Research Audiology for Sivantos in the USA. For over 20 years, Eric has provided audiological, technical and product training support around the globe. He specializes in bringing new product innovations to market, helping Sivantos fulfill its goal of creating advanced hearing solutions for all types and degrees of hearing loss. Dr. Branda received his PhD from Salus University, his AuD from the Arizona School of Health Sciences and his Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Akron.
Erik Harry B. Høydal
Erik Harry B. Høydal has been with WS Audiology since 2014. Besides his audiological clinical background, Erik has been involved in research on musicians and tinnitus. He did his MSc in Clinical Health Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and has also worked as a teacher at the Program for Audiology in Trondheim. Høydal has worked politically with awareness of hearing impairment through his engagement in The Norwegian Association of Audiologists. Having joined WS Audiology in Erlangen 2016 his work includes scientific research and portfolio management.
Frank Naumann, Dipl.-Ing.
In his role as an Innovation Manager, Frank leads the global Technology and Innovation Management Department. He previously spent 8 years with Sivantos (then Siemens Audiology Solutions) and prior to that worked as a Hardware Platform Manager in Siemens Automation and Drives. Frank earned his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin.
Gisele Munhóes dos Santos, Ph.D.
Dr. Munhóes dos Santos is an audiologist and the Product and Marketing Director of Signia in Brazil. She holds a Ph.D. in Sciences and a Master’s degree in Experimental Pathophysiology from the University of São Paulo. She has been providing sound therapy for tinnitus patients since 1998. She is experienced in a variety of tinnitus relief approaches including TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy) and TAT (Tinnitus Activities Treatment) and has presented lectures on tinnitus relief within Brazil and internationally. She founded and is responsible for a support program for tinnitus patients in Signia retail stores in Brazil.
György Várallyay, Ph.D.
Dr. György Várallyay is an Audiology and Training Manager for Sivantos GmbH in Erlangen, Germany. Dr. Várallyay received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Engineering from Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary. With 15 years of experience on biomedical research and 10 years in the hearing aid industry, he is currently responsible for the competitive benchmarking and analysis of hearing aid technology, and for audiology trainings in the EMEA and LA region. He is a member of the Complex Committee on Acoustics at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Han Rui, MD
Han Rui, MD, audiologist and head of out-patient Department of Audiology at China Rehabilitation Research Center of Disabled Children.
Heike Heuermann, Ph.D.
Heike Heuermann, PhD., is Global Head of Platform and Product Management at Signia. After having worked several years with a German hearing aid dispenser chain, she joined Signia (formerly Siemens Audiology Solutions) in 2005 as a research audiologist and clinical analyst. In past years, she has also been responsible for technology and innovation management. Heike graduated in Medical Physics and in Cognitive Psychology from Oldenburg University, Germany.
Jennifer Weber, Au.D.
Dr. Jennifer “Jenny” Weber is Professor of Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences (ASLS) at the University of Northern Colorado. Her areas of interest include amplification and diagnostic, pediatric, and animal audiology. She serves as Audiology Graduate Coordinator at UNC.
Joachim Baumann, Dipl.-Ing. (eq. M.Sc.)
Joachim Baumann started his career in 1989 as a developer for electronic circuits for cochlea implants and wireless charging technology for a fully implantable hearing instrument. In 1998, he became responsible for functional testing during surgery and post-operative care and fitting of the implants during clinical studies in cooperation with the ENT Clinic of the University of Tübingen.
He joined Siemens Audiologische Technik (now Sivantos GmbH) Corporate Product Management team in 2001 and took over the Product Management for Diagnostic Measurement System Unity and other equipment. He was responsible for the global launch of the Unity 2 system in 2004 and the successor product Unity 3 in 2014. He collaborates with the HIMSA, IMC2 working group.
Joachim holds a diploma ( Dipl.-Ing. equivalent to MSc) in Electronic engineering, Electroacoustics and Psychoacoustics from the Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Jonathan Vaisberg, Ph.D. Candidate
Jonathan Vaisberg is a PhD/MClSc Candidate at the National Centre for Audiology at Western University, London, ON, Canada. Jonathan’s research interests include the impact of hearing loss on music perception, and optimizing hearing aid sound quality for music.
Jürgen Distler, Dipl. Ing.
Jürgen Distler is Global Product Manager for custom products at Sivantos GmbH in Erlangen, Germany. He is responsible for the product definition of all kind of In the Ear products. He joined Sivantos (then Siemens Audiology Group) in 1999, holding various positions in Sales, R&D and Product Management since then. He received his Dipl. Ing (FH) in precision engineering from the University of applied sciences Nuremberg.
Karen Jacobus, Au.D.
Dr. Karen Jacobus is a clinical audiologist at Mid Dakota Clinic in Bismarck, North Dakota. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, and a member of the American Auditory Society.
Katja Freels, Dipl.-Ing.
Ms. Freels has been a research and development audiologist at WS Audiology in Erlangen Germany since 2008. Her main responsibilities include the coordination of clinical studies and research projects. Prior to joining WS Audiology (then Siemens Audiology Group), Ms. Freels worked as a dispensing audiologist. She studied Hearing Technology and Audiology at the University of Applied Sciences in Oldenburg, Germany.
Leanne Powers, Au.D.
Dr. Powers is a Sr. Clinical Education Specialist for Sivantos, Inc. She is responsible for the support and on-going training of the Sivantos Educational Specialists and for creating new and innovative training methods to enhance customer service. She trains customers and staff on products, software, and services. In this role, Leanne has given several lectures at AudiologyNOW! and numerous state conventions on a variety of topics, including compression in modern hearing instruments, frequency compression, and tinnitus therapy, as well as presentations specific to the company’s technology. Leanne practiced in a variety of hearing healthcare settings for 16 years prior to joining the Sivantos team. Most recently, she operated two hearing aid offices in the Chicago area. Leanne received her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University, her graduate degree from RUSH University in Chicago, and her doctorate from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Arizona.
Lisa Klop, Au.D.
Dr. Lisa Klop is a Sr. Clinical Education Specialist for Sivantos, Inc. She is responsible for training customers and sales staff on the company’s current technology and products. She conducts training sessions in customers’ offices, remotely, via webinars, and at regional and national events. Areas of particular expertise include hearing assistive technology and the fitting of kids and teens. Prior to joining Sivantos (then Siemens Hearing Instruments) in 2012, she operated a private dispensing practice for 6 years. Other clinical experience includes hospital, ENT, and non-profit clinics. Lisa obtained her doctorate degree in Audiology from Central Michigan University in 2005.
Maja Serman, Ph.D.
Maja Serman is a scientific audiologist at WS Audiology. Her tasks include the development and optimisation of hearing aids related algorithms as well as clinical trials design. She has a diploma in engineering and a PhD in computational modelling of auditory processes. Ms. Serman was a guest researcher at the University of Bordeaux where she was involved in research on binaural hearing and auditory memory.
Marc Aubreville
Marc Aubreville is an engineer who received his M. Sc. (Dipl.-Ing.) from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in 2009, shortly before joining Sivantos as a signal processing engineer. After seven years of developing directional processing algorithms, automatic steering and binaural signal processing algorithms, he became a system architect in 2017. At the same time, he started a PhD in part-time at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in the field of artificial-intelligence-based computer-aided tumor diagnostics, which he finished in 2020.
Maren Schuelke, B.Sc.
Maren Schuelke has supported the R&D Audiology department of Sivantos GmbH since 2017 with the design and conduction of clinical trials as well as data analysis and scientific publications. She received her B. Sc. in Molecular Medicine from the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany and is currently enrolled for the M. Sc. in Cell and Molecular Biology.
Matthias Fröhlich, Ph.D.
Dr. Matthias Froehlich is global audiology strategy expert for WS Audiology in Erlangen Germany. He is responsible for the definition and validation of the audiological benefit of new hearing instrument platforms. Dr. Froehlich joined WS Audiology (then Siemens Audiology Group) in 2002, holding various positions in R&D, Product Management, and Marketing since then. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from Goettingen University, Germany.
Pamela Burton, Au.D.
Dr. Burton is the Vice President Product Management & Customer Care for Signia hearing instruments, responsible for the product lifecycle from development through discontinuation. Dr. Burton received her Au.D. from Central Michigan University in 2006 and has been focused on hearing instrument technology and customer focused roles throughout her 31-year career with the company. She has authored numerous articles and a book chapter on amplification and has been a lecturer at local, state and national meetings on amplification topics.
Patrick J. Schäfer, MSD
Patrick J. Schäfer, MS, is a researcher at Saarland University in Homburg, Germany.
Paula Folkeard, M.Sc., Au.D.
Paula Folkeard is a Research Manager and Audiologist at the National Centre for Audiology. She coordinates projects with the hearing aid industry through the Translational Research Unit and is a member of the Innovations in Hearing Technologies and the Hearing Aid Technologies and Outcomes Labs within the NCA. Her research interests are adult amplification, outcomes measurement, and product and procedure validation.
Rebecca Herbig, Au.D.
Rebecca Herbig, Au.D., is a Clinical Education Specialist for Sivantos USA. Since 2008, Dr. Herbig has been responsible for various aspects of scientific marketing, both globally and specific to the US market. Prior to joining Sivantos, she worked as a clinical audiologist in northern Virginia. Rebecca received her doctorate in Audiology from Gallaudet University in Washington DC.
D. Bradley Davis, Au.D.
Dr. Davis is an educator and clinical audiologist at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences specializing in hearing instrument fitting and aural rehabilitation. He received his Au.D. from Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
Ronny Hannemann, Ph.D.
Ronny Hannemann, Ph.D., is a scientific audiologist at Sivantos GmbH since 2009. He specializes in research and optimization of hearing aid algorithms and gain prescriptions. He received his PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Konstanz, Germany.
Rosa-Linde Fischer, Ph.D.
Rosa-Linde Fischer is a scientific audiologist at Sivantos GmbH. She specializes in research and optimization of hearing aid algorithms and gain prescriptions. She received her Ph.D. in Psychoacoustics from the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. Prior to joining Sivantos in 2011, Dr. Fischer worked as a clinical audiologist.
Sebastian Best, Dipl.-Ing.
Sebastian Best is Head of the Audiology Expert Team within the global WSA research and development team. His team develops of the Signia fitting and sound strategy and does the audiological optimization of our latest digital signal processing platforms. Mr. Best holds several patents within the field of digital signal processing and drives innovations within the audiological development. He earned his Dipl. Eng degree at the Technical University of Ilmenau. Prior to joining WSA, he gained extensive experience working with a variety of innovative recording and sound reproduction technologies – always in order to achieve the best possible listening experience.
Søren Vase Legarth, M.Sc.E.E.
Søren Vase Legarth is Head of department at DELTA SenseLab,- an independent testing and research lab specializing in perceptual evaluation of audio technologies and products including hearing aids. He has been working in the field of sound quality evaluations since 2004 within the areas of establishing test panels, setup lab facilities, develop test software and conducting client and research projects.
Stefan Petrausch, Ph.D.
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Petrausch studied electrical engineering at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, where he received his diploma degree (Dipl.-Ing.) and his doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing.) in the year 2002 and 2007 respectively. He performed his PhD thesis with the title “Block-Based Physical Modeling” in the field of musical signal processing, dealing with distributed methods for the numerical simulation of partial differential equations. Since 2007 he is a member of the signal processing group at Sivantos GmbH, working on almost all signal processing aspects for digital hearing instruments like directional processing, adaptive feedback cancellation, and binaural signal processing.
Susan Scollie, Ph.D.
Susan Scollie, Ph.D. is a Professor at Western University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and is the Director of the National Centre for Audiology. She leads the team responsible for DSL who won a Governor General’s Award for being the first pediatric hearing aid prescription. Her research interests are efficacy of hearing aid signal processing, outcomes for infants, children, and adults who use hearing aids, hearing aid verification strategies, and simulation in education.
Thomas Lotter, Ph.D.
Thomas Lotter, Ph.D., has been with Sivantos GmbH (former Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH) in Erlangen, Germany since 2004. His most recent work there has focused on the product definition of various innovative hearing systems such as Aquaris, the first digital waterproof system, or the Pure micon, and the Silk primax.
Thomas A. Powers, Ph.D.
Thomas A. Powers, Ph.D., is the Managing Member of Powers Consulting, LLC, providing management consulting to the hearing health industry. Dr. Powers serves an expert audiology consultant for the Better Hearing Institute, and as a Senior Consultant for Sivantos, Inc. Dr. Powers received his B.S. from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Audiology from Ohio University. He began his career as a partner in an Audiology private practice, and has over 35 years of experience in the hearing health care industry. Prior to his current role, Dr. Powers was Vice-President, Government Services and Professional Relations for Sivantos, Inc.
Patricia ‘Tish’ Ramirez, Au.D.
Dr. Tish Ramirez is the Director of Clinical Education for Sivantos, Inc. She is responsible for the content, planning, and delivery of sessions to train the company’s network of hearing care professionals and staff on product and audiology-related topics. She leads a top team of audiologists who consistently deliver interactive and effective education through innovative vehicles. Tish has been in similar roles with increasing responsibility in manufacturing companies since 2001, and with Sivantos, Inc. (then Siemens Hearing Instruments) since 2011. Prior to this, she dedicated five years to clinical and dispensing practice, where she acquired a deep understanding of patient motivations and hearing aid technology. Tish holds a doctorate degree in Audiology from A.T. Still University, a graduate degree from Arizona State University, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona. Tish has been a featured speaker at several industry events and is the author of articles appearing in numerous audiology publications.
Vera Wolf, Dipl.-Ing. (FH)
Vera Wolf is an Audiological Engineer for Sivantos, the manufacturer of Signia hearing aids. She is responsible for feature optimization within the audiology system development team. Mrs. Wolf holds a diploma in Engineering for Audiology and Hearing Technology from the University of Applied Sciences in Oldenburg, Germany. Prior to joining Sivantos (formerly Siemens Audiology), she worked as a clinical pediatric audiologist at the University Clinic in Mainz, Germany.
Veronika Littmann, Ph.D.
Veronika Littmann is the team lead of R&D Audiology System Development Team for Sivantos in Erlangen Germany. She holds a PhD in Neurophysiology from Cambridge University where she investigated neural processing of temporal information in complex sounds.
Vijay Parsa, Ph.D.
Vijay Parsa, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the National Centre for Audiology/Faculties of Engineering and Health Sciences. Western University. His research interests are in speech signal processing with applications to hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and augmentative communication devices.
Xiaoling Liu
Xiaoling Liu, audiologist and researcher at Sivantos, China, Xiaoling is one of the principle audiological trainers for Sivantos Audiology Academy in China.