Our Audiologists
Paulette G. McDonald, M.A., CCC-A Director of Audiology and Implantable Devices
Paulette is the Director of Audiology as well as the Cochlear Implant team coordinator. She received her Master of Arts degree in Audiology from Wayne State University in 1984. She is accredited by the American Speech Language Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of Michigan. Paulette has been on staff at the Michigan Ear Institute since 1986. Her interests include testing children and working with pediatric and adult cochlear implant patients. She believes that it is both remarkable and rewarding to see the changes that cochlear implantation can make for the severely to profoundly hearing impaired population. Paulette is actively involved in state audiology committees. She enjoys volunteering at The Henry Ford Greenfield Village in their herb gardens as well as watching her son play college football.
Michele Ruatto, Au.D., CCC-A Director of Audiology and Hearing Aid Services
Dr. Ruatto received her Master of Arts degree in Audiology from Michigan State University in 1996. In 2011, Michele received her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from A.T. Still University, AZ. Dr. Ruatto is certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association, a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, and is licensed by the State of Michigan. She has also served as a board member of the Michigan Academy of Audiology. Dr. Ruatto’s expertise is in hearing aid fitting and aural rehabilitation. Prior to joining MEI in 2015, Michele practiced audiology for a local ENT practice, has worked for a top hearing aid manufacturer, and managed 25 retail hearing aid centers in Michigan. Outside of work she enjoys watching her two children play softball and baseball as well as spending time with other family and friends.
Joy E. Wolney, Au.D., CCC-A Co-Director of Audiology
Dr. Wolney has been a part of the Audiology team at the Michigan Ear Institute since August of 1998. She obtained her Master of Science degree in Audiology in 1991 from Purdue University. She recently returned to school and received her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) in August of 2010. Dr. Wolney was motivated to earn this degree due to the ever-changing profession of audiology and because of her desire to continually improve upon the quality of care that she provides to her patients. She is accredited by the American Speech Language Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of Michigan. She has extensive experience in vestibular testing and hearing aid fittings. Dr. Wolney enjoys building relationships with her patients and feels blessed that she is able to help improve the quality of people’s lives. At home, she enjoys spending time with her husband and playing “mom” to her three children. She spends many nights and weekends cheering them on in their various activities.
Paulette L. Patrick M.A., CCC-A
Paulette joined the Michigan Ear Institute in 2003 as a Senior Audiologist. With more than 25 years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and vestibular challenges, Paulette specializes in balance disorders, the evaluation of, hook-up and programming for cochlear implants and hearing evaluation and hearing aid dispensing.
Prior to joining Michigan Ear Institute, Paulette spent eighteen years working with private practice Otolaryngologists in Nevada gaining experience in the effective treatment of a wide range of conditions.
Paulette says her most rewarding experiences are when patients come back after treatment, marveling at the benefits of better hearing. Paulette earned both her undergraduate and Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, studying under leading audiology educators. She holds her license in Audiology from the State of Michigan and her Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology from the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association.
A fitness enthusiast, Paulette enjoys a variety of outdoor activities with her husband and their three quickly growing sons.
Brandy J. Klann M.A., CCC-A
Brandy Klann graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a bachelors degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences in 2001. She then went on to earn a masters degree in Audiology from Western Michigan University. She has been a member of our Audiology team since 2003. Brandy has desired to work with the hearing impaired from a young age and has a passion for working with Cochlear implant patients. She feels blessed to have a role in changing the lives of people with profound hearing loss. She has been happily married for 4 years and spends much of her time at home crafting and playing with her 19 month old daughter Kaelyn.
Michael E. Robinette, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Michael Robinette received his Doctor of Audiology degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2004, and has been at the Michigan Ear Institute since 2003. He is a board certified audiologist and holds his audiology licensed in the State of Michigan. Dr. Robinette’s interests include hearing aid technology, vestibular and electrophysiology testing, auditory processing disorder evaluation and tinnitus management. He is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech Language Hearing Association. When not working at the Michigan Ear Institute he enjoys reading, line dancing, tennis and kayaking.
Sandra L. Porps, Au.D., CCC-A
Sandra L Porps, Au.D. CCC-A graduated cum laude from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2001 with a bachelors degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. Dr. Porps received her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) in 2005 from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. In 2004, Dr. Porps joined the Michigan Ear Institute team and became a full staff member in 2005. Dr. Porps performs hearing tests, balance testing, central auditory processing tests, and advanced electrophysiology tests. Dr. Porps also enjoys working with hearing aids and Baha and is proud to serve as a member of the cochlear implant team. Dr. Porps is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of Michigan. In 2009, Dr. Porps and her husband welcomed twin boys. Today, Dr. Porps works at the Novi office on Thursdays only and spends the remainder of her week chasing after two very active two year olds.
Rachel R. Beckley, Au.D., CCC-A
Rachel Beckley, Au.D. CCC-A graduated from Michigan State University, in 2001 with a bachelors degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences. Dr. Beckley received her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) in 2005 from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. In 2004, Dr. Beckley worked in Grand Rapids, Michigan for The Hearing Clinic evaluating hearing loss and dispensing amplification. In 2006, Dr. Beckley relocated to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. She enjoyed evaluating children of all ages and fitting them with hearing aids. Dr. Beckley returned to Michigan in 2008 to start a family and worked in Midtown, Detroit for DMC ENT before joining the Michigan Ear Institute team in early summer, 2011. Dr. Beckley performs hearing tests, balance testing and advanced eletrophysiology tests. She especially enjoys the challenges and rewards of working with small children. She is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of Michigan. Dr. Beckley works part-time in the Farmington Hills office and spends her out of work time taking care of her husband and two, active, growing boys.
Heather D. Balon, Au.D., CCC-A
Originally from Novi, Michigan, Dr. Heather Balon graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan in 2008 with a double major in Speech Pathology and Audiology and French. In 2012, she received her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from Central Michigan University. She was hired on as a member of the Audiology department at Michigan Ear Institute (MEI) directly following obtaining her doctoral degree. At MEI, she performs hearing tests, balance tests, electrophysiological tests. Dr. Balon also enjoys working with her patients and their hearing aids in order to enhance their communication ability and improve their quality of life as much as possible. When not working MEI, she enjoys reading, art, and traveling.
Jennifer R. Maciejewski, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Jennifer Maciejewski began her Audiology career at the Michigan Ear Institute in 2000 as a Clinical Fellow, and has now returned after working in a variety of settings for 12 years. She graduated from Central Michigan University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders, then completed her Master’s degree in Audiology at Wayne State in 2000. In 2006, she returned to school to complete her Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree. Dr. Maciejewski has extensive experience in fitting hearing aids, as well as vestibular testing. Jennifer is licensed by the State of Michigan and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology through the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association. Outside of work, her interests include cooking, gardening, camping and spending time with her husband and three children.
Danielle M. Bennett, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Danielle Bennett graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders in 2012. She went on to receive her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2016, also from Central Michigan University. Dr. Bennett completed her audiology fellowship at Michigan Ear Institute prior to accepting a position as a clinical audiologist. She currently holds her audiology license in the state of Michigan and her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). At Michigan Ear Institute, Dr. Bennett provides evaluations and treatment of the hearing and balance systems. She particularly enjoys vestibular and electrophysiology evaluations and cochlear implants. Improving the quality of life for her patients is of utmost importance. Outside of the office, Dr. Bennett enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Hollis Leidy, Au.D.
Dr. Leidy graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2013. Dr. Leidy went on to earn her Doctorate of Audiology in 2017 from James Madison University in Virginia. She completed her audiology fellowship at Michigan Ear Institute prior to her position as a clinical audiologist. She currently holds her audiology license in the state of Michigan and her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). At the Michigan Ear Institute, Dr. Leidy performs vestibular and hearing evaluations on individuals of all ages. A second-generation audiologist has given her compassion and understanding of the impact of hearing loss, as well as, the positive impact available from quality personalized care. Outside of work, Dr. Leidy enjoys photography, traveling, and gardening.
Jaclyn M. Renker, Au.D., CCC-A
Dr. Jackie Renker graduated from Central Michigan University where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in 2013 and her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree in 2017. Along with state licensure, Dr. Renker also holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-A) through the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Her passions include vestibular and electrophysiology testing as well as treatment of positional vertigo. Dr. Renker enjoys the ever-changing profession of audiology and the reward of improving overall communication and quality of life through her work. Outside of MEI, Jackie enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Jayme Sharp, Audiology Assistant
Biography coming soon…