Meet the experts

Jessica J. Messersmith is a Professor at the University of South Dakota where she is the Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Faculty Athletics Representative; she also is an active faculty member in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders where she teaches, does research, and sees patients. Her research focuses on clinical practices that hinder or improve outcomes of pediatric patients in the audiology clinic, with a specific focus on cochlear implants and infant hearing detection and intervention. Through her clinical, research, and teaching duties she continually strives to improve access to care for pediatric patients in underserved, rural, and impoverished areas.

Todd A. Ricketts, Ph.D. is the Professor and Vice Chair of Graduate Studies and the Thomas L. and Jane Wilkerson Yount Endowed Chair in Hearing & Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, TN. He has published more than 100 articles, books and book chapters including the recently published textbook, Essentials of Modern Hearing aids with his co-authors Gus Mueller and Ruth Bentler. He has also provided over 300 presentations both nationally and internationally. He continues to pursue a very active federally and industry funded research program studying the interaction between hearing aids and other hearing assistive technologies, listening environment, and individual differences as they impact the listening and communication experience. In addition, current work also focuses on enhancing cost-effectiveness and efficiency in hearing health care while maintaining high quality. He is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), past Editor of Trends in Amplification and the Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, and a past member of the American Academy of Audiology board of directors. He is currently vice-chair of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S3 (Bioacoustics) committee. He is also a current member of the International Collegium of Rehabilitative Audiologists (ICRA). In addition to his research and service, Todd teaches and mentors students at Vanderbilt.

Dr. Robert M. Traynor practiced audiology 46 years at Audiology Associates, Inc., in Greeley, Colorado, providing diagnostic & rehabilitative treatment for hearing loss/tinnitus patients of all ages & operative monitoring for otolaryngologists & general surgeons. He holds degrees: University of Northern Colorado (BA, 1972; MA, 1973; EdD, 1975), University of Phoenix (MBA, 2006), conducted Audiology postdoctoral study at Northwestern University (1984). He served in the U.S. Air force and 16 years in U.S. Army Reserve as a military audiologist retiring Lt. Colonel in 1998.

1972-1993, Dr. Traynor was Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor of Audiology, University of Northern Colorado, Professor & Audiology Program Director, Colorado State University, 1999-2020, Audiology Adjunct faculty at the University of Florida and currently Adjunct Professor at University of Arkansas/Medical Sciences, Rush University, and Salus University.

At Robert Traynor Audiology, LLC, he provides professional advice & consulting to the hearing industry and Forensic Audiology services.