About Us

Mission Statement

Our commitment is to improve the quality of our patient's lives by providing the best possible audiological care, with a promise to never compromise the honesty or integrity of our practice.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Schumaier began his career in Audiology after he was discharged from the army. He obtained his Master of Audiology degree from Washington University Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis. Dr. Schumaier went on to complete his doctorate degree through Michigan State University in 1972. He moved to East Tennessee in 1972 and was employed by East Tennessee State University. By opening this practice in 1974, Dr. Schumaier became the first private practice audiologist in the state of Tennessee and one of the first in the United States. Dr. Schumaier has published numerous articles and currently holds four U.S. Patents.

Pat Flanary

Pat Flanary recently became the audiologist at the Greeneville Hearing Center.

Heather Light

Heather Kistner, M.S., CCC-A, formerly Heather Light, has been the   

practicing audiologist in Kingsport since November 2003.  Mrs. Kistner is a native to Kingsport, TN where she obtained both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from East Tennessee State University. Heather is a doctoral student with the Arizona School of Health Sciences.  She is a member of the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association and the Wednesday noon local Rotary Club.  Heather recently married Eric Kistner, a native of Bristol, TN in February 2006.  The Kistners are in the process of building a house in the Boones Creek area and love to travel.

Sarah Schumaier-Campbell

Sarah Schumaier-Campbell is completing her 4th year externship in our Johnson City office.  She has worked in the Johnson City office since 1998 as an audiometric technician and data entry clerk. Sarah was grew up in Elizabethton, TN and graduated from Elizabethton High School in 2000.  She received her Bachelor's degree in 2003 from ETSU.  She is a doctoral student at East Tennessee State University and upon completing her externship will graduate in May 2007.  Sarah and her husband, David, enjoy outdoor activities and home improvement projects.  They have one dog named Maggie and reside in Johnson City.

Meet Our Office Staff
Johnson City Hearing Center

Kelly works in the Johnson City office and serves as the Office Manager for all three locations. Kelly has lived in the Tri-Cities area all of her life.  Kelly recently got married.  She graduated in 2000 from King College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She enjoys being involved in her church as a youth worker and participating in various music and drama programs.  Her and her husband have a cat named Phoebe.

Kim has worked in our Johnson City office for the past 2 years.  She schedules appointments, handles patient files, and files insurance.  She is married and has 3 children.  She is a member at Southside Freewill Baptist Church.

Stephanie works in the Johnson City office as an audiometric technician and data entry clerk. She recently graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Marketing.  Her hobbies include running.  She lives with her dog Cooper in Johnson City.

Greeneville Hearing Center

Kingsport Hearing Center

Stephanie Valk Martin works with Mrs. Kistner at the Kingsport office as the receptionist. She grew up in Kingsport and is a 2002 graduate from Dobyns-Bennett High School.  She will soon continue her education starting in summer 2005 at Northeast State Community College.  Stephanie is responsible for scheduling appointments, patient records, insurance and billing. She enjoys the small business environment and one-on-one interaction with the patients. Stephanie's grandparents, founders of Evergreen Garden Center, have taught her the value and importance of caring for the needs of the customers. She also enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and spending time with her friends.