About Us

Meet Our Team

Welcome to our hearing center. Our mission is to deliver exceptional quality and compassionate care, aiming to enhance our patients' hearing and overall quality of life. Committed to the science of communication, we offer state-of-the-art hearing solutions tailored to your individual lifestyle needs. This website is a comprehensive resource, providing insights into our services and practice and valuable information regarding hearing loss and hearing aids.

our staff

Russell J. Fankhouser, Au.D.

Dr. Russell J. Fankhouser has provided hearing healthcare services in Johnson City since 1983. He is a Graduate of East Tennessee State University with a Master's in Audiology and a Graduate of AT Still University with a Doctorate in Audiology. Dr. Fankhouser is a clinical preceptor for the Doctoral Audiology Program at East Tennessee State University.

Christopher A. Burks, Au.D.

Dr. Christoher A. Burks has been helping people hear better in Johnson City since 2003. He is a Graduate of East Tennessee State University with a Master's in Audiology and a Graduate of AT Still University with a Doctorate in Audiology. Dr. Burks is also on staff as an adjunct faculty member at East Tennessee State University.

Alexandria M. Lyons, Au.D.

Dr. Alexandria M. Lyons received her Doctorate in Audiology from East Tennessee State University. She is the newest addition to our team here at Appalachian Hearing and Speech Center.  She enjoys seeing all ages and providing information to the community to learn about hearing loss and good communication strategies. Alexandria is an adjunct professor at East Tennessee State University for the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology program at the undergraduate level. When not at work, she enjoys spending her free time reading, spending time with her dog, Bandit, traveling with her husband, going to the AMC to watch a movie, or baking sweets for her friends and family.

Sherry A. Ayers 

Office Manager

Sherry is the voice you hear when you call our office. She was raised in the Valley Forge Community of Elizabethton and graduated from Hampton High School. She received her Registration and Certification in Dental Assisting from ETSU. Then, after several years, she began working the front desk for an audiology office and has worked in this field for over 27 years. She loves helping patients, repairing hearing aids, and helping with pediatric hearing evaluations. Sherry is married to her husband of 29 years, Steve. They have two sons, Austin and Eli.

Affiliation With ETSU

Appalachian Hearing and Speech Center collaborates with East Tennessee State University's Doctorate of Audiology program as part of our commitment to education and professional development. Our audiologists, Alexandria M. Lyons, Au.D., Christopher A. Burks, Au.D., and Russell J. Fankhouser, Au.D., serve as adjunct professors or clinical preceptors, for the ETSU doctoral program. Additionally, we offer clinical placement and mentorship opportunities for current and postgraduate students in the program, fostering their growth and development in audiology.

audiologists Just a Call Away!

Contact Us
Share by: