Missouri Hearing Society

01/29/2026

SAMANTHA SIKORSKI, CPCO, HIS, ACA, CDP is a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist, Audioprosthologist, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Professional Compliance Officer and holds a certificate from the International Hearing Society as a Tinnitus Care Provider. She will be with us to discuss “INSURANCE BILLING AND CODING: BEYOND THE BASICS”. In 2014, after 12 years with two major hearing aid franchises, she founded Sikorski Hearing & Tinnitus Wellness Center. Samantha specializes in practice
administration and patient education where she works tirelessly to bridge the gap that often exists in hearing healthcare by working with ENT’s, physicians, neuropsychologists, and other allied healthcare providers. Samantha has authored more than a dozen articles for publication in The Hearing Professional. In 2022, Samantha founded Thistle, LLC, to help other practice owners establish standards of care and policies to comply with the complex regulations that come with owning a healthcare practice

01/22/2026

Jonathon Mikhail will be coming to talk to us about “Adopting Adolescent Care Into Your Practice: Don’t Be Scared, They’re Just Hearing Impaired”. He is a clinical research audiologist from
Joplin, Missouri. He graduated with his Master of Science degree in 2015 from The University of Wisconsin-Stout in Technical and Professional Communication, emphasizing behavioral methods, in 2018 from Wichita State University with his Doctor of Audiology,
and in 2023 with his Doctor of Education from A.T. Still University, where he graduated with high honors. His research, both for his master's and first doctorate, has focused on communication abilities and tactics for people who are hard of hearing of all ages, and the number of communication courses offered in current audiology programs in the United States. His doctoral dissertation in 2023 was on COVID-19’s long-term effects on pre-existing hearing loss. Dr. Mikhail also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Wichita State University and Missouri State University in the Doctor of Audiology program. His interests in audiological practice include aural rehabilitation, pediatric assessments, educational audiology, hearing conservation, and counseling.

01/15/2026

Ken is the President of K and K Labs. He will be at the convention to talk to us about “ETHICS IN HEARING HEALTHCARE” – He is an audiology and Occupational Therapy consulting company. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage. Ken has been in the hearing industry for over 40 years with a passion for creating success for both the patient and practitioner. LaFerle has written several articles in national trade publications and has presented at over 100 state and national meetings as
well as Canada, Mexico, Denmark, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. LaFerle received his B.A. degree in Psychology & Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Michigan and his M.S. degree in Audiology from the University of Montevallo in Alabama where he was named outstanding graduate student. He received his AuD from Salus University in 2007. In addition to his tenure within the hearing industry, Ken has also worked for the State of Louisiana Health Department and for an E.N.T. practice where he established hearing aid dispensing for the office. LaFerle holds a certificate of clinical competence in audiology and is a board-certified hearing instrument specialist. In addition, he holds an audiology license and hearing aid dispensing license in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Ohio

01/09/2026

THOMAS TEDESCHI, AuD will be joining us Friday morning for “PRINCIPLED VOICES: WHERE ADVOCACY AND ETHICS INTERSECT”. He is the Chief Audiology Officer for Amplifon Americas. Primary responsibilities center around Governmental Affairs and Regulatory activities. He holds a doctorate in Neuroscience and Audiology. Dr. Tedeschi has worked in several sectors throughout his 45-year career: hospital-based, private practice, teaching, and industry-related positions. He has co-authored Ethics in Audiology in two books and recently co-authored a chapter on Practice Management. He has written numerous professional articles and given over 400 professional presentations nationally and internationally. Dr. Tedeschi has served on various committees for the American Academy of Audiology, including the Academy’s Ethical Practices Board. A member of the
Academy of Doctors of Audiology and recipient of the President’s Award. He served on the Elections Committee, Professional Practices Committee, Physician Marketing Committee, and Convention Planning Committee. He is also the Hearing Industries Association’s Regulatory and Technical Committee secretary. He is a past president of the Ohio Academy of Audiology and a recipient of the Distinguished Fellow for Policy and Strategy, and current Chair-Elect for the Audiology Academy within the National Academy of Practice.

08/07/2025

An AMAZING convention coming soon!!

02/28/2025

There is still time to register for the MHS conference in Kansas City, MO on March 7th and 8th! Come Thursday night from 4-6PM for a hands-on session on cerumen management!

Register here:

Please click the link to complete this form.

07/24/2024

Mid America Hearing Center won this tasting at the convention and we are hosting it for our employees. The best part is that the Missouri Hearing Society will receive up to 10.5% of the sales from the tasting and/or online sales. You can place a secure order on the link below and your orders will contribute towards the proceeds contributed to the Missouri Hearing Society funds.

So everyone enjoy some wine!!

https://www.winesforhumanity.com/eventshare/WP6297/?u=efischer

04/06/2024

Congratulations to MHS member, Jayden Scott, on passing her NBC exam!! 🥳🥳

During the month of March, we had so many new board certificants, who displayed their excellence and earned the esteemed designation of BC-HIS. Please join us in congratulating:
▪️ Jewel Pandora Laidlow, BC-HIS
▪️ Brenden William McCoy, BC-HIS
▪️ Tracey-Lynn McDonald, BC-HIS
▪️ Judy Ann Leal Panzo, BC-HIS
▪️ Tonya Lisa Patton, BC-HIS
▪️ Jayden Renee Scott, BC-HIS
▪️ Jodi LaRae Sharman, BC-HIS
▪️ Danielle Marie Stevens, BC-HIS
▪️ Manuel Diaz Villegas, BC-HIS
▪️ Gage W. Welfley, BC-HIS

03/29/2024

MHS board member Rebecca Krouse volunteered time with IHS on the IIHIS (education) committee this week at their new headquarters in Farmington, Michigan!

It's an exciting time here at IHS as we're ramping up for our conferences: the IHS Canada Virtual Conference in June & the Annual Conference & Expo in September!

Our Professional Development team has been rockin' and rollin'! This week, they met with the International Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies (IIHIS). The meeting had a packed agenda, including reviewing speaker abstracts submitted and selecting speakers for the conferences. We are so grateful to these volunteers for their hard work dedication to the profession!

Pictured: Back row, L to R: Ed Lybarger; Committee Chair Doug Lewis, JD, PhD, AuD, MBA; Rebecca Krouse, MsED, BC-HIS; Mike Gedeon, ACA, BC-HIS
Front row, L to R: Board Liaison Leanne Polhill, BA, BC-HIS; Kathy Harvey-Jones, MsED; Samantha Sikorski, ACA, CDP, CPCO; Jean Duncan, MSc, Kristin Wadsworth, BS, BC-HIS

02/16/2024

Saturday morning kicks off with Ken LaFerle, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA, President, K and K Labs, from Elgin, IL talking to us about:
“PSYCHOLOGY OF DECISION BEHAVIOR”
This session identifies and describes the key behaviors that lead to making a decision. This is defined in general and then how it is applied to our field. Attendees will learn about the key questions to ask and exhibited behaviors and actions that trigger the desire of the hearing-impaired patient to make a decision regarding their hearing health. In addition, examples of critical steps will be explored.

02/16/2024

Registrants! We are looking forward to seeing you all in just a couple weeks!! The hotel has extended the group rate through the end of the day, today, February 16th. So if you haven't reserved your room yet, now is the time!! 🤩

Book your group rate here:
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1687292559346&key=GRP&app=resvlink

If you haven't yet registered, you still have time! The registration link can be found at www.missourihearingsociety.org.

02/07/2024

Friday afternoon we will wrap up with Kristina Petraitis, AuD, Audiology & Education Manager before heading into the reception.
We are inspired by the consumer and their journey. The consumer journey is not an easy one. It can be described as very emotional. The first appointment which is often just an hour, a consumer learns that they have a hearing loss, they learn about different hearing solutions, and then they need to make a decision on how to proceed which ultimately can cost thousands of dollars. Despite advancement in technology and clinical care, alarmingly, it still takes a person an average of 4 years to address their hearing loss. We will be discussing a selection of topics and ways to implement for greater success, because experience is everything.