Owner and Tinnitus Specialist

Dr. Shannon Marie is the owner and one of the Doctors of Audiology at Columbia Basin Hearing Center. Throughout her career, she has become a leading expert in tinnitus treatment and has helped thousands of patients find “better living through better hearing.” Beyond her work with Columbia Basin Hearing Center, Dr. Shannon is a serial entrepreneur and nature therapist who has served on multiple professional boards and is known as an inspirational speaker and mentor.

She is also the owner of Abundant Wanderings, where everyone can learn to find healing and balance in the nature that surrounds them everyday.

Clinical Audiologist and APD Specialist

Melanie Muhlestein, AuD, has had a long journey to return to her Tri-Cities home as an Audiologist. After earning her Master’s degree in Audiology from Utah State University in 1996, she dedicated time to raising her two boys. Their challenges paved the way to her specialty interests later. As they got older, she worked her way back to Audiology, first in the schools, then in clinic work at Better Hearing and Audiology in Idaho, where she learned how to be methodical and patient in fitting hearing aids and solving communication problems.

In searching for answers for her boys’ Auditory Processing Disorder, she completed Master Classes in APD evaluation and treatment, and went back to graduate school to earn her Doctor of Audiology degree from AT Still University, where her boys were by her side at graduation. She recently returned to her home community and joined the team at Columbia Basin Hearing Center. She knew it was a good fit for her because of their dedication to full diagnostic evaluations, best practices, and best fit technology, as well as a whole person approach.

Clinical Audiologist Tele-Health

Dr. Cassidy White is a licensed Audiologist working for us remotely from beautiful Livingston, Tennessee. She received her Doctorate of Audiology from Idaho State University in 2020. Dr. White has experience treating diverse populations, from infants to geriatrics, and all stages in between. She has worked in a variety of clinics, including private practice and Veteran’s Affairs. Dr. White’s greatest interests include hearing aid dispensing, counseling and education, and tinnitus management. She is passionate about improving communication and quality of life through better hearing.

Clinical Audiologist Tele-Health

Sarah Vair is a triple-licensed audiologist (WA, SC, NC) who collaborates with us remotely from vibrant South Carolina. Originally hailing from a quaint farming community in Northeastern Ohio, Dr. Vair earned her Doctorate in Audiology from Kent State University in 2007 before relocating to the South. With an initial eight-year tenure in a bustling ENT clinic, she gained extensive experience working with diverse medical and hearing-impaired patients. Transitioning to a local private practice in 2015, Dr. Vair discovered her passion for the private sector, cherishing the autonomy it provides in guiding patients towards optimal hearing health solutions.

Dr. Vair champions individualized care, recognizing the unique needs of each patient and tailoring bespoke treatment plans to align with their hearing goals. Her unwavering dedication to quality patient care and a penchant for innovation led her to embrace the opportunity to join Columbia Basin Hearing Center.

Hearing Instrument Specialist and CAOHC Certified Industrial Screener

Corrin was born and raised in the Seattle area. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington. After graduating, she worked at Seattle Children’s Hospital for 13 years. Her family moved to the Tri-Cities in 2016, and she had absolutely no idea what to expect. She quickly grew to enjoy the seasons, the atmosphere, and how everything is just 15 minutes away. She was fortunate to return to the field of audiology through Columbia Basin Hearing Center and loves both her work and the people she gets to work with. With so much changing in the world of technology, she is excited to see what comes next.

Audiolog Assistant - IT Specialist and CAOHC Certified Industrial Screener

Born and raised in the Tri-Cities, Ellija is a CAOHC Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist, an Audiology Assistant, and our in-house IT Specialist. With a long history in the medical field and a lifelong passion for electronics, hearing aid care is a perfect fit for his special set of skills.

When he isn't juggling his many hats at work he enjoys reading, coding, and playing with his cat.

Audiology Assistant

Kimberly grew up in sunny California and has made her way to Washington to start a new and exciting chapter in her life. Since her big move she has been in health care as a phlebotomist for two years and has enjoyed the one-on-one relationships she has made with her patients. Wanting to grow in the healthcare world, she has found her way over to us as an audiology assistant. Kimberly is always looking for ways to better help her patients and making sure they are getting the best service possible. Outside of work she enjoys being out in nature and spending time with her loved ones.

Audiology Assistant

Bianca was born and raised here in the Tri-Cities. She is a big advocate for hearing health and believes that a meaningful life is driven by human connection. She loves getting to know her patients and strives to create an environment of compassion and respect for them so they may always feel heard and valued. Outside of the office, Bianca enjoys getting outside, exercising, discovering new restaurants and spending quality time with her friends and family.