2026 Industry Roundtable

Christopher Spankovich
AuD, PhD, MPH

Christopher Spankovich, AuD, PhD, MPH, is a tenured professor and vice chair of research for the Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Spankovich is a clinician-scientist with a translational research program focused on prevention of acquired forms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and sound sensitivity. His research includes clinical trials of otoprotectants, epidemiological studies of determinants (e.g., dietary quality) of hearing loss/tinnitus, basic research in thermal stress for prevention of ototoxicity, and translational research on the effects of noise on auditory physiology/perception. His research has been funded by industry, federal, and professional bodies. He has published over 90 articles and book chapters (60 in peer-reviewed journals) and has given over 60 national and international presentations. Dr. Spankovich continues to practice clinically with special interest in tinnitus, sound sensitivity, ototoxicity, hearing conservation, and advanced diagnostics. He holds adjunct faculty status with Salus University and Nova Southeastern University and serves as an associate editor for the International Journal of Audiology. He recently completed service as a board member for the American Academy of Audiology.

Dave Fabry
PhD

Dave Fabry is Chief Hearing Health Officer for Starkey, where he has worked since 2009.  He has previously held both academic and industry roles during his 43-year career as an Audiologist.  He is a Past President and Board Member of the American Academy of Audiology and recently completed two terms as a Board Member for the American Auditory Society.  He has served in the past as Editor-in-Chief for Audiology Today and the American Journal of Audiology, and as a Section Editor for Ear and Hearing.  

Edmund Farrar

Dr. Edmund Farrar is a leading figure in modern tinnitus care. A former military and NHS doctor, he saw how little practical support patients received and how few could access effective therapy. His own tinnitus experience pushed him to focus on what actually works. He co-founded Oto with Dr. George Leidig to close the gap between evidence and real-world care.

Ed has built Oto into the only clinically proven digital tinnitus therapeutic with randomized controlled trial evidence, including the large DEFINE trial led by the University of Cambridge. His work helped establish digital CBT as a credible, scalable option for people who cannot access specialist care. Under his leadership, Oto has supported more than 100,000 people and is now advancing reimbursement pathways in major health systems including the NHS.

Ed continues to work with audiology and ENT leaders worldwide, helping shift the field toward accessible, evidence-based habituation and better standards of tinnitus care. He is now recognized as one of the key voices shaping the future of tinnitus treatment.

Lauren Fettig

Lauren Fettig brings over 15 years of hearing health experience to her role as Director of National Accounts at CaptionCall. Previously, she spent six years at Starkey Hearing Technologies working in government sales and practice development, giving her deep insight into the clinical side of hearing care.

Lauren now builds strategic partnerships and leads the CaptionCall’s Veteran channel, helping providers treat the "holistic hearing journey" through IPCTS.

Her passion is personal: watching her cousin’s life transform after receiving hearing aids—hearing a car seatbelt ding for the first time—cemented her dedication to helping anyone experiencing hearing loss overcome isolation.

Outside of work, Lauren loves traveling, playing in any of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes, and spending time with her family and dog, a black lab named Frankie.

Jessica Lawley
BA

Jessica Lawley, VP, Client Marketing for Synchrony Health and Wellness and Audiology lead. She leads marketing relationships with clients, partners, and associations to develop and implement marketing and communication strategies that align with patient, provider, business, and financial goals. Jessica has 16+ years of marketing experience at companies such as Synchrony, Citibank, and The PGA TOUR. Jessica obtained her BA in Marketing from Auburn University while lettering on Auburn’s golf team.

John Pumford
AuD

John Pumford, AuD, is the Director of Audiology, Education and Clinical Research at Audioscan. With over 27 years of experience in the field, Dr. Pumford has served in senior roles in audiology, clinical research, and management for several leading hearing aid companies. He has also held clinical audiology positions in both hospital and private practice settings along with research audiology positions at the National Centre for Audiology in Canada where he contributed to advancements in the DSL fitting formula. Dr. Pumford has presented widely internationally on hearing aid technology and verification procedures and has authored numerous articles, peer-reviewed papers, and book chapters on these topics.

Tammara Stender
AuD

Tammara Stender, AuD, is Director of Global Audiology External Relations for GN Hearing. The
Global Audiology groups, located in Copenhagen and Chicago, conduct research and development from the perspectives of the user and the hearing professional. Prior to joining GN ReSound in 2003, Tammy was an Audiologist for Orlando Regional Healthcare in Orlando,
Florida, where she provided pediatric diagnostic and amplification services. She earned her
Master of Science degree in Audiology from Vanderbilt University, and her Doctor of Audiology
degree from the University of Florida. In addition to her position at ReSound, she has held
Adjunct Faculty positions at Northern Illinois University and Rush University in Chicago.

Brian Taylor
AuD

Brian Taylor, AuD, is the senior director of audiology for WS Audiology. Dr. Taylor also serves as the editor of Audiology Practices, a quarterly publication of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and as an adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin. Brian has more than 35 years of clinical, business and teaching experience.