Meet Our Team

LEE COTTRELL, AU.D., CCC-A

DIRECTOR OF AUDIOLOGY

Dr. Lee Cottrell obtained his undergraduate degree in Audiology from the University of Tennessee in 2007. He then received a Master’s in Audiology from the University of Tennessee in 2009 and a Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Tennessee in 2011. Dr. Cottrell earned his Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2011. He has been a fellow in the American Academy of Audiology since 2017. Dr. Cottrell serves on the American Academy of Audiology Government Relations Committee. He is adjunct faculty with Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. As a clinical audiologist Dr. Cottrell provides comprehensive audiologic services for adult and pediatric patients including diagnostic testing, amplification, and vestibular testing for balance disorders.

ANDREA LEONARD, AU.D., CCC-A

AUDIOLOGIST

Dr. Andrea Leonard achieved her Doctorate of Audiology in May of 2016 from the University of Tennessee. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Truman State University in 2011. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Dr. Leonard provides comprehensive audiologic services for adult and pediatric patients including diagnostic testing, amplification, cochlear implants, and vestibular testing for balance disorders.

KATIE FULLER, AU.D., CCC-A

AUDIOLOGIST

Dr. Katie Fuller achieved her Bachelor of Audiology from the University of Tennessee in 2012 and her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Tennessee in 2016. She earned her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association in 2016. As a clinical audiologist, Dr. Fuller provides comprehensive diagnostic services to our adult and pediatric patients including testing, amplification with hearing aids and cochlear implants, along with vestibular testing for balance disorders.

MADISON COWAN-BANKER, AU.D., CCC-A

AUDIOLOGIST

Dr. Madison Cowan-Banker earned her Bachelor of Sciences degree in Special Education with a concentration in Communication Disorders from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2014. She then went on to get her Clinical Doctorate in Audiology from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City and graduated in 2019. Following graduation, she has worked in the Knoxville area as an audiologist. Madison joined our team in March 2020.

Dr. Cowan-Banker has a passion for the field of audiology and loves working with patients to help improve their communication abilities. At The Balance and Hearing Institute, she is involved in assessing patient’s hearing needs through identifying patients’ hearing loss and fitting them with appropriate amplification.

TYLER PHILLIPS AU.D., CCC-A

AUDIOLOGIST

Dr. Tyler Phillips obtained his Doctorate of Audiology in May of 2020 from the University of Tennessee. He received a Bachelor of Science in Audio Production in May of 2014 from Middle Tennessee State University. He holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Dr. Phillips provides comprehensive audiologic services for adult and pediatric patients including diagnostic testing, amplification, cochlear implants, auditory osseointegrated implants, and vestibular testing for balance disorders.

MADISON (MADI) PENNINGTON, Au. D.

AUDIOLOGIST

Dr. Madi Pennington achieved her Audiology Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee in May of 2018 and received a Bachelor of Science in Audiology/Speech Pathology from the University of Tennessee in 2017. She then obtained her Doctor of Audiology in May of 2021.

Dr. Madi Pennington has a passion for the audiology field and helping patients improve their quality of life. At The Balance and Hearing Institute, she provides comprehensive diagnostic services to adult and pediatric populations, amplification with hearing aids and cochlear implants and tinnitus management.

Carly Jacobs, Au.D.

AUDIOLOGIST

Dr. Carly Jacobs earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2017. She went on to get her Clinical Doctorate in Audiology from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point/Madison and graduated in 2021.

Dr. Jacobs has a passion for audiology both clinically and personally. She enjoys working with patients to help improve their communication abilities and their overall quality of life. Dr. Jacobs provides comprehensive audiologic services to adult and pediatric populations including diagnostic testing, the fitting of appropriate amplification, and tinnitus management.

ALICIA FLORES, AU.D., CCC-A, AIB-VAM

BALANCE SPECIALIST

Dr. Alicia Flores is a specialist in the evaluation and management of inner ear disorders. She graduated as a physician from UNAM in Mexico City where she is licensed as an oto-neurologist. She achieved her Doctorate of Audiology from Salus University, Osborne College of Audiology and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association and Certification in Vestibular Assessment and Management from the American Institute of Balance. Here at the Balance and Hearing Institute she works alongside our team of ENT physicians, audiologists, and physical therapy to ensure excellence in the clinical management of the dizzy patient.

NICOLE DICKINSON, DPT

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Dr. Nicole Dickinson, PT, DPT, COMT is a physical therapist that joined our staff in October 2018. She attained her Clinical Doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2013 after receiving a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Tennessee in 2010. She achieved a post-doctoral certification in orthopedic manual therapy (COMT) in 2016 while working with a treatment focus in both orthopedics and vestibular rehabilitation. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Vestibular Disorders Association. Since joining The Balance and Hearing Institute, Nicole provides rehabilitation services to our patients with dizziness and balance disorders, treating a comprehensive range of disorders that include vestibular hypofunction, BPPV, and cervicogenic dizziness.

MATT DUNFORD

PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Matt graduated as a Physical Therapy Assistant from South College in 2015. He later joined an outpatient orthopedic based company as they began incorporating PTAs into their clinical models. He helped develop that program for 3 years before joining our team in September 2019. He works with a wide range of dizziness and balance conditions, and he is responsible for progressing and tailoring exercise programs for all of our PT patients.