Dr. Jason Leyendecker
Dr. Jason believes that great service comes with great knowledge. He prides himself with staying up on all of the latest technology and treatments to best serve his patients. He also has a specialty in tinnitus management. He is here to help find solutions to your hearing, tinnitus and sound sensitivity needs.
“There is not one perfect technology for everyone. It is our job to find the best technology to compliment your lifestyle and your hearing profile. Through our process, I am confident we can come to that solution.”
Dr. Jason graduated from A.T. Still University in 2010. He started with Audiology Concepts as a student under Dr. Paula Schwartz in 2008. In 2017, he bought the practice and plans to continue the legacy Dr. Schwartz created. You can expect the best experience with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
When not in the office, you can find Dr. Jason outdoors and spending time with his family and friends!
Professional Experience
- Doctor of Audiology – A.T. Still University
- Bachelor of Science – Minnesota State University Moorhead
Professional Affiliations
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- American Academy of Audiology
- Academy of Doctors of Audiology
- Minnesota Sight and Hearing: Board Member
Dr. Rachel Allgor
Dr. Rachel is dedicated to giving her patients excellent service by staying current in evidence-based best practices of diagnostics, amplification fitting, tinnitus/hyperacusis/misophonia treatment and hearing protection.
“I believe I’ve been given a unique perspective on audiology because I wear a hearing device every day. Between my history of growing up going to audiologists and my education, I believe I’ve been able to observe and learn what a great Audiologist should be like. I strive towards that daily. My goal is to help patients in the way they need it; a tailor fit for each individual.”
Dr. Rachel joined Audiology Concepts in 2016 as a graduate student. After graduating from A.T. Still University in 2017, she joined the team full time. She received her undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and is originally from Hastings, MN.
Outside of the office, you can find Dr. Rachel spending time with her family, on the tennis court, participating in church activities and volunteering at The Zephyr Theatre.
Professional Experience
- Doctor of Audiology – A.T. Still University – Arizona School of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science – Minnesota State University Moorhead
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Audiology
- Minnesota Academy of Audiology
Dr. Stacey Dimond
Dr. Stacey’s passion for Audiology comes from an ever-present desire to improve people’s quality of life through better hearing and communication skills. She also has a specialty in tinnitus and hyperacusis management. It is her belief that her educational, professional and personal experiences make her an Audiologist who can change your life for the better!
Dr. Stacey has been practicing Audiology since 2009. She received her doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. She joined Audiology Concepts in 2017 after relocating back to the Twin Cities. Dr. Stacey is excited to provide exceptional hearing services while creating personal relationships with all her patients at Audiology Concepts.
In her free time, Dr. Stacey enjoys gardening and cooking while spending time with her husband, Jesse, and their beautiful daughters.
Professional Experience
- Doctor of Audiology – University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in consortium with Madison
- Bachelor of Science – University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Professional Affiliations
- American Speech and Language and Hearing Association
Dr. Jay Hapka
Dr. Jay’s top priority is to understand each patients’ motivations and goals through relaxed conversation. With many reasons to decide to take action on your hearing health, he wants to know what yours are. The questions and answers exchanged on the way to finding these reasons are important. They help Dr. Jay explain the patient’s hearing ability in a way that has meaning, as well as finding the best solution.
He has always loved working with technology but knew he wanted to make a difference by working with people. With Audiology at the intersection of healthcare and technology, Dr. Jay develops personal connections with his patients while using technology to empower them to change their lives.
Dr. Jay is excited to be back in his home state of Minnesota after being in Arizona, where he earned his doctorate degree from Arizona State University. There he was also a part of hearing health missions to Mexico and Africa. He received his bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Science with minors in Neuroscience and Spanish from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Outside of work, Dr. Jay loves to cook. His specialties are traditional sourdough bread and French Onion soup. (He’s happy to share and exchange recipes!) In the summer, he can usually be found around a barbeque pit. Now that he is back in MN, he looks to spend time fishing and snowmobiling.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Dr. Sarah Kaufman
Dr. Sarah believes in whole person health care and strives to give her patients excellent treatment through current evidence based practices and knowledge of current technology. Coming from a family with loved ones with hearing loss, Dr. Sarah knows the time, compassion and knowledge that each patient deserves to achieve their best quality of life through better hearing.
“My grandparents are the ones who motivated me to become an Audiologist and they continue to motivate me to give the best patient care to everyone.”
Dr. Sarah started with Audiology Concepts as a student, under Dr. Jason. She earned her doctorate degree from A.T. Still University in 2019 and has joined the team full time. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Minnesota.
Outside of Audiology, Dr. Sarah enjoys spending her time up north at the lake, golfing with her husband, traveling and being with friends and family.
Professional Experience
- Doctor of Audiology – A.T. Still University
- Bachelor of Arts – University of Minnesota
Professional Affiliations
- Academy of Doctors of Audiology
- Minnesota Academy of Audiology
- American Academy of Audiology
Dr. Jeff King
Jeffrey earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Disorders from St. Cloud State University before pursuing his Doctorate of Audiology
from Central Michigan University. Jeffrey enjoys spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, and golf. Why Audiology: Jeffrey always knew
that he wanted to help others in life. He was unsure how he would do this until he took his first communication disorders course during undergraduate studies. After initially pursuing speech language pathology, Jeffrey discovered that his true passion was audiology. His goal is to improve the quality of life of patients and their family members by providing excellent hearing healthcare.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Disorders from St. Cloud State University, Doctorate of Audiology from Central Michigan University.
Hobbies and Interests: Spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, and golf. Why Audiology: Jeff always knew that he wanted to help
others in life. He was unsure how he would do this until he took his first communication disorders course during undergraduate studies. After initially pursuing speech language pathology, Jeff discovered that his true passion was audiology. Jeff’s goal is to improve the quality of life of patients and their family members by providing excellent hearing healthcare.
Dr. Alana Kennedy
Dr. Kennedy has a passion for helping patients with all of their hearing healthcare needs. She understands the importance of providing individualized care for each person’s unique hearing requirements and strives to ensure each patient feels informed and supported throughout their journey to better hearing.
Dr. Kennedy received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Minot State University and earned her Doctorate of Audiology from Missouri State University in 2017. Following graduation, she practiced audiology in Texas for five years before relocating to Minnesota and joining Audiology Concepts in 2022.
Originally from Manitoba, Canada, Dr. Kennedy now enjoys living in the Land of 10,000 Lakes with her husband and their cat. Outside of the office, Dr. Kennedy enjoys attending concerts and theater performances, visiting local restaurants, playing disc golf, and reading a book on her patio.
Dr. Jennifer Boblett
Dr. Boblett prioritizes patient-centered care by helping people based on their individual hearing needs. During her graduate schooling, Dr. Boblett worked as an audiology assistant and completed clinical practicum placements at a variety of clinics and settings, which has allowed her to stay current on evidence-based best practices in diagnostics and amplification.
In 2017, she earned her Bachelors of Science from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She then completed her Masters of Liberal Arts in 2020 and her Doctorate in Audiology in 2021 at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Boblett is from Rush City and is excited to serve the community she grew up in. She provides hearing healthcare needs to patients of all ages and loves to see the positive impact that better hearing can bring to individuals and their families, including her own family!
Outside of work you can find her spending time with her husband, Trevor, and their mini goldendoodle, Sadie. They enjoy weekends at the lake year-round, playing cards, hiking the north shore and finding local ice cream shops to try.
Karla Beheng
Hearing Instrument Specialist
Karla is a Hearing Instrument Specialist. She is here to assist with cleaning and checking hearing devices and making minor repairs on site. She also visits various facilities in the Northern region and provides services to the residents as well as provides training to the facilities’ staff on how to properly maintain and care for the devices. Karla enjoys helping patients hearing again while creating a special bond and helping them in any way she can.
One of Karla’s other passions is riding horses. She also enjoys hiking, camping and kayaking on the shores of Lake Superior. She has two wonderful boys, Ethan and Arren and a dog, Louie, and a cat, Kona, that she loves spending time with outside of work.
James Johnston
Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist
James is here to help you with anything from follow up appointments, re-programming and Bluetooth connections to your cell phones and accessories, Lyric fittings, troubleshooting and counseling of new and returning patients.
“Working for a private practice of this caliber has required me to continue my education and make sure my patients are getting the best professional hearing health care. My goal is to ensure your first visit is handled with the same care and enthusiasm as any of your following visits. I pride myself with going the extra mile. I want you to know that you and your ears are valued and not just a number in our database. Staying up-to-date with new technologies and the ever-changing medical field is something my co-workers and I take very seriously. I want you to hear all the sounds this world has to offer, and make sure your expectations are not only met, but exceeded.”
James joined Audiology Concepts in 2009, starting first in administrative and front desk duties. He became a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist in the spring of 2015.
James and his wife, Lauren, have three children. They look forward to the many challenges that are quickly approaching. He’s a proud father, so be prepared to hear the latest story or see a photo, should you inquire.
Kathy Wieser
Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist
Kathy is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist and serves as the Clinic Director for the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic. She is available to assist people in finding the right hearing device for them. She also does hearing device clean and checks, assesses repair needs and helps with counseling, programming and ear care. In the Tinnitus clinic she works in coordinating services, answering questions, follow up care and visits, support and also sees her own patients suffering from misophonia.
Kathy’s background includes a B.A.S in Communicative Disorders from UMD and a teaching degree from Augsburg College. She joined Audiology Concepts in 2006 and loves being a part of a team approach to helping people.
When she is not at the office, Kathy enjoys biking, reading and cooking. Her new favorite hobby is spending time with her twin grandsons. There is always a picture to share!
Dr. Pamela Reynolds-Klocke
Bio coming soon.
Karri Kiefat
Karri ensures that the practice is running smoothly and efficiently. She oversees Human Resources, training, accounts receivable/payable, tracking and strategic planning for the office.
“As a hearing aid wearer myself, I understand personally how hearing loss can affect your life and how important hearing instruments are to keeping you connected to family, friends, work and everyday life.”
Karri received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in Business and her Master of Business Administration from Bethel University in 2009.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son doing many activities related to sports, the outdoors and family.
Eric Stevens
Eric is responsible for the financial stewardship of the practice. That includes managing the practice’s budgets, conducting financial reporting, planning and analysis, as well as providing strategic input on growth plans of the practice.
He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management. Eric’s professional background is in sales and management. He previously worked with local hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey Hearing Technologies, for six years.
Outside of the office, he enjoys golfing, going up north in the summer, camping in the boundary waters, spending time with his dog Summit, reading and traveling.
Chelsea Geisthardt
Chelsea serves as the “middle-man” between the patient and the insurance companies. She verifies and checks benefits prior to appointments which allows the patient to have the information at their first appointment. She also assists in billing insurance companies for all claims.
With a background in health care, Chelsea has always enjoyed helping others. She likes the challenge of working with insurance and making the pieces come together in order to help the patient. After receiving her Audiology Technician Certificate in 2019, she is now pursuing a degree in Health Information Technology from the U.S. Career Institute in Colorado.
Outside of work, Chelsea loves spending time with her daughter, Bailea, and their pets, family and friends. Most of her time is spent at gymnastic meets and church. She enjoys being outside, going fishing, watching movies, reading and playing games.
Maija Jaeger
Maija is ready to help schedule appointments, answer phone calls and manage paperwork. She is available to answer any questions you may have and lead you in the direction to get the best information in regards to our clinics.
Maija moved back to the Twin Cities after finishing school in Duluth, where her love for American Sign Language and being able to help people communicate grew.
Outside of work, she loves drawing, painting and taking photos as well as hanging out with friends, going on new adventures to new places and going up North and being outside.
Karrin Krall
Karrin is a patient care coordinator for our Grand Rapids office. You can find her working the front office answering calls, making coffee, and scheduling your appointments. Karrin has a real passion for helping people. It could be on the phone helping patients schedule appointments, meeting you in person in the office, or responding to messages left on the office voicemail. To her, there is nothing better than knowing she really made a difference in someone’s day.
Karrin grew up in Grand Rapids area and in her off time, enjoys walleye fishing with her husband (both in the boat and on the ice), going camping and being outdoors.
Grace Blumentritt
Grace graduated from Minnetonka High School in 2018 where she was immersed in all things band- marching band, pep band, pit orchestra, curricular band. She is currently enrolled at Normandale Community College majoring in chemistry. Grace enjoys baking, reading, watching movies with her husband, and snuggling with her 2 cats. She loves all things Disney, with Star Wars and Marvel topping the list. She chose Audiology Concepts because she likes to do things that will make a positive impact on people’s lives and knowing that she helped make a difference in any way is one of the best feelings 😊 She also really enjoys ASL and wanted a career where she could use it more often.
Joanna Niemi
Joanna is pleased to be your first contact in the front office as well as on the phone. Her goal is to provide our patients with excellent service by welcoming them, handling paperwork, and making and confirming appointments. She keeps the flow of visits as smooth as possible.
Joanna’s background is in Education, so it comes natural for her to help educate patients on the how’s and why’s of hearing treatment. Her favorite part of her job is the friendships she makes with patients.
She enjoys spending as much time outdoors in the summer and looks forward to gardening and landscaping her yard. Reading, needlework and her two grown daughters and a granddaughter keep her busy when she is not in the office.
Amy Hjeltman
Amy is a Medical Billing Specialist with over 20 years of experience, 6 of those years being in the Audiology field. Amy believes in the importance of good quality care, and she enjoys playing her part behind the scenes to make that possible. As a Billing Specialist she gets satisfaction when she can resolve for the patient any discrepancies their account may have with an insurance company.
Outside of work Amy enjoys spending time with her husband curling and golfing. She also has 6 grandchildren that keep her very busy and if she finds any extra spare time, she enjoys running 5k’s.
Stacy Foucault
Stacy is an insurance verification specialist working out of our Duluth office. She is a key part of the Billing and Insurance department at Audiology Concepts, and works hard to make sure all insurance benefits are checked before each patient’s appointment.
She is a busy mom of two young boys and a dog mom. Stacy loves to spend time outside snowmobiling in the winter and on the side-by-side in the summer. She loves making new things on her blackstone grill (bacon fried corn tops the list so far!), she loves to read, play softball and travel.
Lori Lindstrom
Lori is a Patient Care Coordinator in our Cambridge clinic location. She enjoys helping people and finding solutions to questions or problems in order to make each patient’s experience as easy as possible. She does this by managing the schedule to make sure each patient has appropriate access to care from our Audiology team, and is always happy to perform routine maintenance and cleanings for patients who need their devices looked at.
Lori has worked in the field for the past 24 years; her favorite part of her job is making people smile.
Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 4 grandsons and family on the lake.
Jessica Nemitz
Jessie completed her undergraduate degree at St. Cloud State University, where she received a Bachelor in Elective Studies. Since graduating Jessie gravitated towards the field of Audiology. She enjoys the fast pace and ever-changing advancements in hearing aid technology. Most of all Jessie appreciates the impact that quality hearing care can provide for our patients and their loved ones.
In her free time, Jessie loves to spend time outside on her patio with her two golden doodle pups Wilbur and Orville!
Pam Gauthier
Bio coming soon.