Their career paths began at different points. But, an inquisitive telephone call led to a decision that ultimately brought two future audiologists together to form a partnership, Hearing Associates of Dothan LLC, which opened its doors in Dothan, Ala., in February of this year.

In 2002, Robyn Wilkes, AuD, was just wrapping up her graduate studies in audiology at the University of South Alabama, when she received a telephone call from Jamie Shumaker, AuD. A multitude of questions were answered in that conversation. Shumaker, who had received her Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders from Auburn University in 2001, was looking for a place to continue her studies. She was debating between two choices, South Alabama and the University of Tennessee. She enrolled at South Alabama for the two-year graduate program in audiology.

Wilkes, who had received both her Bachelor of Science degree in communication science and disorders and her master’s degree in audiology at USA, was headed to Nashville, Tenn., to begin work on her clinical fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical School.

Eventually, they both enrolled in a distance-learning program offered by Salus University of Pennsylvania to earn their clinical doctorates in audiology.

The starting point for their careers began in undergraduate school. Both were pursuing careers in speech disorders. Their paths were changed by profound encounters as undergraduate students.

“As part of my undergraduate studies, I had the chance to work with a child with profound hearing loss,” says Wilkes. “Hearing aids were not helping this child. I was working with the child in speech therapy.”

The young patient received a cochlear implant.

“I worked with her after the surgery,” Wilkes continues. “The change was profound for her. She heard sounds she had not heard for 12 years. A lot of therapy was involved. She had drastic improvement. She reached the point where she could understand speech without looking at you. She did amazingly well. That lit a spark in me to do something to improve someone’s quality of life. It’s a great feeling knowing you’ve helped someone.”

Because of that encounter, Wilkes found her niche. Although she works with all age groups in her practice, she especially enjoys working with pediatric cases.

For Shumaker, an experience on the other end of the age spectrum galvanized her love for working with geriatric cases.

“The summer before in went to Auburn I volunteered in the Speech Pathology Department,” Shumaker says. “I enjoyed that experience. That was going to be my major.”

But, some course work changed her career path.

“In speech pathology, I was required to take a couple of classes in audiology,” Shumaker says. “I really loved it. I found out I had an interest in it. That is why I applied for the graduate program at South Alabama.”

Next came her externship, which she completed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.

“It was during that experience that I found I enjoyed working with adults, especially in geriatrics,” she says. “I have a special place in my heart for geriatric patients.”

They never attended school together. But career choices helped them forge a friendship. And, in 2008, a new partnership was about to be born.

“We went to the American Academy of Audiology conference last year,” Wilkes says. “That is where we first started talking about opening a private practice.”

The new practice also solved a dilemma for Wilkes.

“I commuted to work in Enterprise for five and a half years,” Wilkes says. “It was hard. I wanted to work closer to home, closer to my family. And, with a private practice, you can control your hours.”

Wilkes hasn’t completely cut her ties with Enterprise, however. She continues to assist  Charlton two days a week.

Source: Elaine Brackin/The Dothan Progress,  Dothan, Ala.