Study Personnel

National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland, OR

NCRAR Research Audiologist

 

Wendy Helt, MA, CCC-A

Wendy Helt, MA, CCC-A is the Senior Research Audiologist at the VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR) with over 30 years of audiological assessment experience and has been involved with the NOISE study since it began over 10 years ago. She has worked with Veterans and non-Veterans enrolled in various research studies including ototoxicity early detection, tinnitus evaluation, and hearing aid utilization. She has extensive experience serving as lead audiologist on multi-site clinical trials, and consistently has been able to recruit, screen, and enroll consenting research participants to meet study intake objectives.

 

 

NCRAR Research Audiologist
Anne Heassler, Au.D, CCC-A

Anne Heassler, AuD, CCC-A is a Research Audiologist at the VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR) with over 20-years of audiological experience. She has worked in a wide variety of clinical and academic environments with patients across the lifespan. Anne has worked in auditory and tinnitus research at NCRAR since 2023. Her study areas include cochlear synaptopathy and the longitudinal effects of noise exposure. When she is not collecting data, you can find her running around the local roads and trails, wherever there is live soccer or music, and planning for the adventure around the corner.

NCRAR Research Statistician

 

Emily J. Thielman, MS

Emily J. Thielman, MS, is a statistician at the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR), located at the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) in Portland, Oregon. She has worked in auditory and tinnitus research at the NCRAR since 2009 and has been on the NOISE study team since the project started in 2013. Her focus includes data management, database design, data analysis and displays of data for publication and presentation at scientific meetings. Her work at NCRAR includes studies of behavioral interventions for tinnitus, tinnitus measurement, and the NOISE study’s investigation of longitudinal effects of noise exposure.

 
 
 
 
NCRAR Research Data Management Specialist
 
Samrita Thapa, MPH

Samrita Thapa, MPH is a Data Management Specialist at the VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR). Ms. Thapa has expertise in questionnaire design, management of large, complex databases, and statistical analyses. She is responsible for overseeing data processing procedures (including data checking and entry), assisting with the collection of data from medical records, conducting analyses, and participating in the preparation of reports, presentations, and publications.

 
 
 
 
NCRAR Research Assistant
Anneka Sonstroem 

Anneka Sonstroem is a Research Assistant at NCRAR. She has worked on the NOISE study for four years, and is currently enrolled in an MS program at OHSU in Biostatistics. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, hiking, and board games.

Hearing Center of Excellence, San Antonio, TX 

HCE Research Audiologist

 
Melissa Theis, Au.D.

Dr. Melissa Theis, Au.D. is a licensed audiologist with a diverse background in clinical hearing research and hearing protection. After completing a clinical internship at Lackland Air Force base, she began her career as an active duty Air Force audiologist, where she provided audiological services to military personnel and their families. Following her military service, she transitioned to a research-focused role at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force base, where she investigated
hearing protection technologies and contributed to the development of innovative solutions to mitigate noise-induced hearing loss. Her research expertise spans both clinical and laboratory settings, with a particular focus on the effects of noise exposure on hearing and the development of effective countermeasures to prevent hearing damage.

 

 

 

HCE Clinical Research Coordinator

 

Leah C. Barger, BSPH, CCRC, ACRP-PM

Leah C. Barger, BSPH, CCRC, ACRP-PM is the study Project Manager at our San Antonio site. She joined the NOISE study team in May of 2021 after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health from Indiana University and is proud to be a part of a project working to better the lives of our nation’s Service members and Veterans. None of this would be possible without the help of our wonderful research participants, which is why she loves engaging with them throughout the years during their completion of our study follow-ups and keeping them up to date on our project’s developments.

 
 
 
 
 
HCE Research Assistant

 

Yamuna S. Pillai, MBA

Yamuna Pillai is the Research Assistant at San Antonio. She graduated from UTSA with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and an MBA. Yamuna’s previous research experiences included assisting with the development of fiber-coated endotracheal tubes to release at least 3 classes of drugs, participating in NSF’s i-Corps Workshop, and evaluated vocal fold tissue properties after injection augmentation to improve several life quality processes. During her free time, Yamuna likes spending time with friends and family, dancing, and volunteering in the community.

 

 

 

 

 

Southern California 

Southern California Site Research Audiologist

 

Hannah Famili, Au.D., CCC-A

Hannah Famili is a Research Audiologist for the NOISE Study based in Southern California. She moved to San Diego to complete her externship with the San Diego VA Healthcare System in 2021 and graduated with her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. Hannah’s primary research interests focus on informing clinical care related to treating and managing hearing loss and tinnitus. She is passionate about improving the quality of life of individuals with hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders. Hannah will begin her Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology in the Fall of 2024. She hopes to add a public health lens to her audiology background and address hearing health at a population level. In her free time, you can find her swimming in the ocean, cycling and running along the coast, or planning the next adventure.

 

 
 
 
Southern California Site Clinical Research Coordinator

 

Eddie Veytia

Eddie Veytia is the Clinical Research Coordinator for the NOISE Study in Southern California. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 2020 after serving 8 years. He contributed to Operation Warp Speed, playing a crucial role in the national COVID-19 response. Eddie holds an Associate of Arts in Science Studies (Pre-Nursing) and an Emergency Medical Technician certificate. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at San Diego State University.