Meet Our Audiologists

Hearing Resource Center
A Division of Ear, Nose & Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery Center

Dr. Abeyta, originally from Pennsylvania, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communication science and disorders from University of Pittsburgh in 2007 and her master’s and doctoral degrees in audiology from University of Pittsburgh in 2010 and 2011. She completed her clinical residency at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2011 specializing in adult hearing aids, aural rehabilitation and cochlear implants. Immediately after graduating with her Doctorate in Audiology, Dr. Abeyta moved to Newport Beach, California where she specialized in vestibular (balance) diagnostic testing, vestibular (balance) rehabilitation therapy, tinnitus treatment and fitting extended-wear hearing devices. In 2012, Dr. Abeyta joined our practice here at Hearing Resource Center and Ear, Nose & Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery Center and was appointed to Director of Audiology in 2014.  Dr. Abeyta is certified by the American Board of Audiology (ABA). She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (F-AAA), a Fellow of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) and a member of the American Tinnitus Association (ATA). Dr. Abeyta currently specializes in adult hearing aids and the counseling and treatment of tinnitus, though she holds special interest in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation.

In her spare time, Dr. Abeyta enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Dr. Buckley-Ess, originally from Virginia, received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Radford University in 2011 and her Doctor of Audiology degree from Salus University’s George S. Osborne College of Audiology in 2016. Dr. Buckley-Ess completed her fourth-year fellowship at the University of Virginia-Health Systems. She joined the team at Hearing Resource Center in June 2016.

Dr. Buckley-Ess is also our audiology fellow program coordinator, who helps in the hiring and precepting of fourth-year audiology students. In January 2022, she was promoted to assistant director of audiology. 

Dr. Buckley-Ess stays active with the American Academy of Audiology, is a member of Salus University Alumni Board Association and holds the American Board of Audiology certification. She also holds her CCC-A with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

In her spare time, Dr. Buckley-Ess likes to travel, especially to Georgia to see her nieces. She also enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

Dr. Howard, a Stafford, Virginia native, received her Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Virginia in 2014 and her Doctorate of Audiology from James Madison University in 2018. Dr. Howard has experience working at an ENT office, which is where she developed a special interest in working with pediatric patients and cochlear implants; so much so that she worked for a cochlear implant manufacturer before joining the Hearing Resource Center and Ear, Nose & Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery Center in 2021. Dr. Howard is a licensed audiologist in Virginia and is a fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), where she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology (CCC-A). Dr. Howard enjoys improving her patients’ quality of life and communication with loved ones through assistive technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.

In her spare time, Dr. Howard enjoys hiking with her husband, daughter and dog.

Dr. Levengood, originally from Pennsylvania, received her Bachelor of Science degree in speech-language pathology and audiology with a minor in psychology from Bloomsburg University in 2017 and Doctorate of Audiology from Central Michigan University in 2021. Dr. Levengood completed her fourth-year audiology fellowship at Ear, Nose & Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center of Fredericksburg prior to joining the practice as a full time Audiologist in 2021, where she specializes in adult diagnostics and hearing aids, vestibular assessment and electrophysiology. She focuses on providing patient-centered care and works to improve the quality of life of her patients. Dr. Levengood is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), where she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology (CCC-A).

In her spare time, Dr. Levengood enjoys traveling to see her family in Pennsylvania, trying out new restaurants and exploring the outdoors.

Dr. Ross, originally from Virginia, received her Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders from Howard University in 2014 and her Doctor of Audiology from Ohio University in 2020. She fulfilled her fourth year externship at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A, in Charlotte, North Carolina where she completed training in adult and pediatric diagnostics, hearing aids, cochlear implants, electrophysiology and vestibular testing.

She has a passion for providing patient-centered hearing health care to assist her patients in achieving a better quality of life. She is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), where she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology (CCC-A).

In her spare time Dr. Ross enjoys participating in recreational sports and spending time with family and friends.

Kirsten is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communication sciences and disorders from Baylor University. She is working on her last year of a four-year clinical doctoral program in audiology from the University of North Texas. Kirsten is finishing her final year at the Hearing Resource Center and Ear, Nose, & Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery Center of Fredericksburg as an Audiology Fellow. She will specialize in audiological diagnostics including vestibular and electrophysiology, fitting and rehabilitation of adult and pediatric hearing aids and tinnitus treatment. Kirsten has previously interned at a pediatric hospital, private practice, independent school district and several ear, nose and throat practices. Kirsten was the president of her program’s Student Academy of Audiology chapter during her second year, and her special interests include electrophysiology, vestibular testing and hearing aids. 

In her spare time, Kirsten enjoys walking her black lab and spending time with her husband and extended family in D.C. and northern California.

Ariana is originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from James Madison University in 2017. She is currently working on her last year of a four-year doctoral program in clinical audiology from James Madison University. As part of this program, Ariana is completing a one-year audiology fellowship here at Ear, Nose, and Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center of Fredericksburg and Hearing Resource Center. She will specialize in audiological diagnostics including vestibular and electrophysiology, fitting and rehabilitation of adult and pediatric hearing aids and tinnitus treatment. Ariana has previously interned at a university clinic and an audiology and ENT private practice. Ariana has actively served on JMU’s chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology as a national representative and as the chapter historian. Additionally, Ariana has served as an instructor for the Introduction to Sign Language courses at James Madison University. She has special interests in hearing aids, vestibular assessment and tinnitus treatment. 

In her spare time, Ariana enjoys spending time with her husband, crafting and finding new adventures.

Shea is originally from Lake Lure, North Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from Appalachian State University in 2018. Shea is currently completing her fourth year of the doctor of audiology program at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). During this fourth year, Shea will work at Hearing Resource Center and Ear, Nose & Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery Center of Fredericksburg as one of the Audiology Fellows. She will specialize in audiological diagnostics including vestibular and electrophysiology, fitting and rehabilitation of adult and pediatric hearing aids and tinnitus treatment. During her time at ETSU, Shea was a student intern at a private practice, a nonprofit practice, two ENT centers, James H Quillen VA medical center, and her university’s audiology clinic. Shea is an active member of the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) and her audiological interests include diagnostic audiometry, electrophysiology, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids and hearing aids with patients of all ages.

Shea enjoys spending time outdoors hiking with her dog, trying new restaurants, and traveling.