Meet Our Expert Audiology Team at Northwest Speech & Hearing Center

Jean Benson

Clinical Audiologist

Jean Benson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a Masters of Audiology from the University of Illinois at Champaign. She completed her clinical fellowship at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Jean’s expertise and passion is audiologic assessment and hearing management of children. Prior to becoming an audiologist, Jean sought out jobs working directly with children. She has taken that experience along with her experience as a mother of 5 children and applied it to her unique abilities in diagnosing and managing hearing loss in children.

In addition to pediatrics, Jean enjoys working with older adults in assisting with their hearing health through audiologic assessment, hearing aid consultation and orientation to help improve their quality of life.

Kristen Davia, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Davia is a seasoned audiologist whose journey in audiology began with a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, followed by an M.A. in Audiology from Ohio State University, and culminating in an Au.D. from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. She holds certifications in Tinnitus Management (CH-TM) from the American Board of Audiology and specializes in a rehabilitation program for managing tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Professionally, Dr. Davia has a robust background, having previously worked as a Clinical Audiologist at what was formerly DuPage Medical Group, now known as Duly Health. Her expertise spans across audiologic diagnostics, hearing aid fittings, vestibular testing (VNG), electrophysiology, and tinnitus management. Dr. Davia is excited to join the Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Team providing specialized tinnitus diagnosis, management, and treatment.

Kimberley Franczyk, AuD

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Kimberley Franczyk is a doctor of audiology with a focus on dizziness and balance. She earned both her B.S. in Speech Pathology and her M.A. in Audiology from Northwestern University. Her clinical fellowship year was completed at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. She spent some time working at Northwestern University in the Infant Hearing Clinic, then joined the staff at Rush University Medical Center. After practicing for many years, she completed her Doctor of Audiology degree through Central Michigan University.

Dr. Franczyk worked at Rush as the Clinical Coordinator for Audiology and concurrently held a joint position on the university side as an Instructor of Audiology. In addition to seeing patients and overseeing the outpatient audiology clinic, she taught classes, supervised graduate clinicians in audiology, and provided education about audiology to residents in pediatrics and ENT. She is a past president of the Illinois Academy of Audiology (ILAA) and a Fellow in the American Academy of Audiology (AAA).

While she loves all aspects of audiology, Dr. Franczyk’s primary area of interest is electrophysiology, especially when used to evaluate hearing in infants or to diagnose problems with dizziness and balance across the lifespan. She listens carefully to her patient’s concerns and focuses her evaluations on finding the root cause of their problems so an effective treatment plan can be formed.

Ryland Gallagher, AuD

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Ryland Gallagher is a licensed Audiologist that has been with Northwest Speech and Hearing since 2018. He completed his undergraduate degree with a dual major in Audiology and Psychology at Illinois State University. Dr. Gallagher remained at Illinois State for his clinical doctorate in Audiology. His patient centered approach has helped patients reach all their communicative goals, improve quality of life, and reduce listening fatigue associated with hearing loss. Dr. Gallagher also works with tinnitus patients. He creates a positive approach to tinnitus management in an effort to reduce the stress and negative effects associated with tinnitus.

Dr. Gallagher is married to Dr. Paige Gallagher, who is also an Audiologist. They live in Woodridge, IL, with their daughter. In his free time, Dr. Gallagher enjoys reading, watching his favorite Chicago sports teams, and spending time outside with his family.

Denise Keenan

Licensed Audiologist

Denise graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1991 with a Masters degree in Audiology. She began her career as a clinical audiologist at Chicago Hearing Society, a not for profit agency, in 1991. From 1997 until 2001, Denise was the Manager of Communication Services at Chicago Hearing Society where she also continued in her capacity as a clinical audiologist.

In 2001, Denise joined the research team at the Office of Research in Clinical Amplification (O.R.C.A.) for Widex hearing aid company working with research audiologist Dr. Francis Kuk. Participants in the research were hearing impaired individuals from the surrounding community. From 2011 until 2014, Denise was a Senior Research Audiologist for O.R.C.A.

In 2014 Denise returned to her roots, as a clinical audiologist, when she joined the team at Northwest Speech and Hearing. She has a strong investigative background and likes figuring out the root of the issue. Denise enjoys helping people from the community to improve their ability to hear and communicate.

Michelle Petrak, PhD

Michelle’s primary role is development and clinical validation of new technologies in the vestibular and balance areas for Interacoustics. Michelle holds a doctorate in electrophysiology and biomolecular electronics from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in audiology. Michelle is involved with new innovative product developments, clinical evaluations of new protocols, publishing, teaching, and training on the management of patients with dizziness. She lectures extensively nationally and internationally and has numerous articles published in the hearing industry journals. When she is not working at Interacoustics or traveling internationally, she is a clinical audiologist at Northwest Speech and Hearing Center.

Sandra Siegel

Clinical Audiologist

Sandra grew up in Niles, Illinois. She received her Bachelors degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Indiana University. She received her Masters in Audiology at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Sandra has worked at Northwest Speech and Hearing Center since 1992. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the patients she sees. She has many loyal patients that request to see her. Sandra also provides audiology care to nearby Senior Living facilities.

When Sandra is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She enjoys reading and traveling.

Sara Lambert

Front Office Coordinator

Sara Lambert brings over 20 years of experience from the previous audiology office. She can help you schedule an appointment, check the status of your order, answer billing questions, and assist you with any questions you have. When not meeting patient needs in the office, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children.