FALLS HEARING CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Owner & Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Lauren Esposito took American Sign Language in high school, and she knew right away she wanted a career working in the Deaf and hearing-impairment community. She began college intending to become a teacher in a Deaf school, but her introductory audiology course cemented her true passion - hearing health care.
Dr. Esposito earned her bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders at Radford University in Virginia, completed her 2014-2015 residency at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Knoxville, and graduated in 2015 with her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Tennessee. She began her audiology career right here at the Falls Plaza Hearing Center in 2015, when the practice was owned by Mike Valenza. She was his employee until she bought the practice in December 2020.
Dr. Esposito thinks it's a joy to come to work every day because she gets to help the people in her community stay connected to their family members and loved ones, which is important now more than ever. She's excited about the team she's put together because they're excellent at what they do and as patient-centered as she is.
Her dad was in the Army, so they moved around a lot growing up, but she has called southwest Virginia home for almost 10 years now. She and her husband, Nick, live in his hometown of Bristol, where they spend most of their weekends fixing up and renovating their old home, which was built in 1933 - she loves all things DIY! Their beautiful baby girl, Mia, was born in November 2020, and she is the light of their lives.
Lauren and her husband are expecting again! Newest baby Esposito will be arriving January 2023!
Job Titles:
- Patient Care Coordinator
- Patient Care Coordinator at Abingdon Falls Plaza Hearing Center
As a patient care coordinator at Abingdon Falls Plaza Hearing Center, Erin brings experience working in busy environments and a passion for helping people live their best. Her background includes service in a medical center step-down unit, which assists patients who don't quite require intensive care but aren't ready for the general medical floor.
Ask Erin what she likes most about her job, and she'll share the joy of connecting. "I love working in a small, privately owned office where you can really make a connection with patients and their families and with your coworkers," says Erin, who takes pride in being part of patients' journeys and seeing them reconnect with loved ones through better hearing.
Outside the office, Erin is all about family, friends, and her delightful fur babies. On weekends, you might find her at the lake with her boyfriend and their two dogs as well as at Sunday family dinners. She also enjoys attending country concerts and recently renovated a camper the couple bought last fall.
While working in the general surgery office at a hospital, Heather realized she enjoyed working in the medical office setting and interacting with patients. When ownership of the surgery office changed hands, she realized it was time to move on, and she was glad she did: She likes the small private-practice setting and the way the providers really care about the patients.
Heather also loves being able to help patients interact with their families again. There's nothing like seeing the joy on a patient's face because they can finally hear their loved one's voice in a way they haven't for a long time.
She treats the patients how she would want someone to treat her family. Speaking of families, she has a wonderful husband of 14 years, and they have an 8-year-old son who is the light of their life. She enjoys cruises, Friday family nights, and riding Harley motorcycles with her husband.
Growing up, Kelley Haynes witnessed firsthand the effects of her father's untreated hearing loss: He would miss things and shy away from family gatherings. It was clear it affected not only him, but those around him. She wanted to be able to help him become part of the conversation again, so hearing care was the obvious career path.
She earned her associate's degree from Virginia Highlands Community College, where she is recognized as one of the top 50 distinguished alumni. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from Radford University in 2003 and holds a board-certified dispensing license in Virginia. Her hearing care experience includes serving as an audiology technician at Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion and Highlands Ear, Nose & Throat in Bristol. She has been on our team as a hearing instrument specialist for more than 12 years.
Kelley loves connecting with her patients, learning about their unique hearing needs, and hearing about their families, careers, and hobbies. Being part of the team at a private practice lets her take the time to do that.
A lifelong southwest Virginian, she is an officer of elections for Smyth County and volunteers at each election.