Patricia J. Burns, BA, BC-HIS

Patricia J. Burns was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She moved to Whatcom County in the late 1960s and went to middle school at Meridian and attended High School at Blaine. She received an AA at Whatcom Community College and a BA at Western Washington University where she majored in Audiology and Speech Pathology with a minor in Humanities. She has been helping the hearing impaired from all walks of life in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties for over 15 years.

Patricia Burns is licensed hearing instrument dispenser in Washington State and has earned her Board Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. She is affiliated with the Washington State Hearing Aid Society. Ms. Burns is also a member of the Harborview Lions Club where she chairs the hearing aid program that helps local people receive hearing help. She is a member of Whatcom Women in Business and a contributor to the Starkey Hearing Foundation which also helps people who cannot afford hearing aids receive hearing help. She has also certified her business nationally as a Woman Owned Business.

Patricia Burns continues to pursue her education in hearing aid fittings and hearing health, making sure that she is abreast of the latest technology. She has received her certification of Excellence from Audibel and looks forward to helping those with hearing difficulties.

Tracey Demmon, AuD CCC-A

Dr. Demmon was born and raised in Vancouver BC and moved to Bellingham in 1993. In 1998 she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Washington University. In 2001 she completed her Master of Arts degree in Audiology, also from Western Washington University. In 2009 she graduated with Honors and received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the AT Still University in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. Demmon is a licensed Audiologist in Washington State and has earned her Certification of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She maintains affiliations with Washington State hearing Aid Society and the Washington Speech and Hearing Associations as well as the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.  She continues her post graduate courses on a monthly basis to stay abreast of the current trends in audiology as well as the latest techniques and devices available.

Current areas of expertise include hearing aids (fittings, candidacy, evaluations, and follow up), aural rehabilitation (psychosocial issues regarding hearing loss and adjustment for families), tinnitus (auditory sounds in the head), hearing conservation (protection of hearing), and assistive listening devices (telephones, alerting devices and FM systems). She continues her pursuit of excellence with regular trainings and classes and looks forward to being able to help those with hearing health difficulties.

Shari Humes  M. Ed.,  HIS

Shari Humes grew up in West Seattle and moved to Bellingham in 1988 (pre Bellis Fair Mall days). Shari has a BA in Audiology and Speech Pathology from Eastern Washington University, a Post Baccalaureate degree in Teaching from Western Washington University and Masters in Education from City University.

Shari is a licensed hearing instrument dispenser in Washington State. She brings experience in all aspects of hearing aid fitting. She is a member of the Whatcom County Elder Service Providers. Shari provides community outreach to assistive living and nursing home care staff on hearing aid care and maintenance and she also coordinates our Lunch and Learn programs.

Shari avidly continues her education in hearing aid technology, hearing health issues and aural rehabilitation with regular trainings and classes.

She is delighted to be working as a Hearing Instrument Specialist at Hearing Northwest and happy to support our patients with their hearing health needs.

Kelly Dobie, Audiology Assistant

Kelly was born in Port Coquitlam, B.C. She later moved to Seattle in the late 1990’s with her family and up to Bellingham in 2006 to attend Western Washington University. Kelly graduated from Western with a B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Audiology.

Kelly continues to pursue her education in Hearing Science and is currently working towards obtaining her certification from Washington State to be a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist.

Kelly is excited to be working as an Audiology Assistant at Hearing Northwest and is very happy to be helping patients with their hearing needs.

Sammy J. Poodle, greeter

Sammy J. Poodle has been busy! He's packed up his couches and moved with Hearing Northwest to 1470 Ellis, and boy is he excited! As usual, Sam is waiting eagerly every day to greet "his" patients. He's also gained new responsibilities, not just a greeter, he now would like to give our clients tours of our grand new offices, and show off his new fish pond! you many also notice a new bounce in his step... Sam would like to introduce you to his best friend Emma! Emma is a shy Shihpoo and the newest edition to the Hearing Northwest greeting committee. Sam's wagging his tail, waiting to curl up on your lap for a nice pet, never mind that Emma!

Miss Emma Lou, greeter

We at Hearing Northwest are pleased to announce the hiring of our second full time greeter, Emma Lou! The young Shihpoo has been a guest greeter for the past two years and is excited to make her position permanent. Emma has been promoted from Dr. Tracey Demmon's personal in home greeter to our prestigious position.

Miss Emma brings an element of youthful vitality to the office, and is always up for the game of chase with her predecessor, Sammy. Emma is often seen prancing through the offices, toy in mouth, checking on all her humans. Though not quite as outgoing as Sam, her shy demeanor is charming and she's already coming out of her shell more and more every day. Don't be alarmed if you hear a little bark from her, she's just letting us know you're here!

Jordy, greeter

Jordy is the newest addition to our greeting staff. He is a malti-poo that was rescued from a puppy mill, then sent to live in a crate, then to the humane society, then to a foster home, and then finally to his forever home with the Demmons. When Dr. Demmon adopted him he was a shy, scared little pup, but boy has he blossomed!

Jordy can often be seen chasing a laser light or playing fetch with himself and his toys. He has puppy-like energy and charm and likes to greet you by getting nice and close. Jordy has adapted well to office-life and has become good friends with Sam and his ‘sister’ Emma.