Dr. Jack Shohet received his bachelor’s and medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. He completed his internship and residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was subsequently awarded a fellowship in otology/neurotology at the Ear Foundation in Nashville.
Board certified in both otolaryngology and neurotology, Dr. Shohet collaborated for several years with the internationally renowned neurotologists, Dr. William F. House and Dr. Michael E. Glascock, III. Dr. Shohet implanted the first implantable middle ear hearing device in Orange County, California and continues to offer new treatments for hearing disorders and related problems. He is actively involved in clinical trials.
In addition to his private practice, Dr. Shohet is engaged in medical research and is a Clinical Professor at the University of California, Irvine, where he previously served as Chief of the Division of Neurotology and Residency Program Director. Dr. Shohet is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, Orange County Medical Association, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Neurotology Society, and is currently President of the Orange County Society of Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Shohet lectures frequently to professional and community groups throughout Southern California, and has been named to Best Doctors in America from 2005-present. He previously served as Chairman of the Otolaryngology Department at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and is currently a board member and co-founder of HearAid Foundation.
Dr. Steven Zuniga received his B.A. in Biology from the University of San Diego. After receiving his M.A. in Medical Sciences from Loyola University Chicago, Dr. Zuniga went on to receive his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and was subsequently awarded a fellowship in Otology, Neurotology, and Lateral Skull Base Surgery at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Zuniga is double board certified in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Neurotology. His clinical focus is on disorders of hearing, balance, and facial paralysis. He has received specialty training in the nonsurgical management of lateral skull base tumors, including acoustic neuromas, utilizing a highly conformal form of radiation therapy known as Gamma Knife.
As a California native and local surfer, Dr. Zuniga has a special interest in the minimally invasive management of bony growths of the ear canal known as exostoses, commonly referred to as “Surfer’s Ear”. “I know how it feels to be unable to get in the water during a solid swell. Allowing my patients, and fellow surfers, the opportunity to recover quickly and return to the water sooner is one of my top priorities”, Dr. Zuniga expressed.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Zuniga is involved in several clinical research endeavors including an international collaboration to develop an implantable auditory nerve prosthesis. Dr. Zuniga is a member of numerous regional and national professional organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, American Neurotology Society, American Medical Association, and the Orange County Society of Head and Neck Surgery.
Carolyn Nagel Lyn serves as Dr. Shohet’s Physician Associate. She has been practicing as a physician associate since 2006. She is nationally board certified and fully licensed by the state of California to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. In addition, she has advanced training by Dr. Shohet to specifically treat conditions related to the ear.
Carolyn received her medical training at Loma Linda University and graduated in 2006 with a Master’s degree in Physician Associate Studies. She also completed a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from Virginia Tech University in 2003. She earned her Bachelor of Science with honors at the University of California at Los Angeles in 2001, majoring in Physiological Sciences.
Physician Associate Lyn also has extensive experience in the field of research. While working at Shohet Ear Associates she conducted research on surfer’s ear. Her research entitled “Ear Canal Exostoses: The relationship between surfing footedness and asymmetric growth severity” was presented as a poster at the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting in 2008 . In May of 2006, while at Loma Linda University, Carolyn also completed research entitled, “What Are Adult’s Attitudes, Intentions, and Behaviors Regarding Skin Cancer? A Survey Among Southern Californians.”
Carolyn has a diverse background and experience in many different aspects of patient care. In addition to specialty care of the ear, she has in-depth experience in internal medicine, occupational medicine, and urgent care. Prior to her medical training, Carolyn worked in corporate health and cardiac rehabilitation.
Jessica is a nationally board-certified physician assistant (PA-C) with a special interest in otolaryngology who works directly with Dr. Shohet. She received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside. Prior to PA school, Jessica worked as a medical scribe in emergency medicine and otolaryngology at Shohet Ear Associates. She returned to Shohet Ear Associates as a PA-C with advanced training from Dr. Shohet for ear-related conditions. Jessica is eager to apply her knowledge and skills to positively impact patients’ well-being. She is committed to staying current with the latest medical advancements, actively seeking opportunities for continuing education to provide the best possible care. Jessica is a member of the California Academy of Physician Associates.
During her free time, Jessica enjoys cooking and baking new recipes, spending time with family and friends, and attending concerts (with earplugs).
Alexandra Laursen, PA-C, is a nationally board-certified Physician Associate and is fully licensed by the state of California to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. In addition, she received advanced training from Dr. Shohet to specifically treat conditions related to the ear and worked alongside him for over 3 years.
Alexandra received her medical training at Southern California University of Health Sciences, earning a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine.
Physician Associate Laursen has extensive patient care experience and has worked in emergency medicine as an EMT and a clinical scribe. She is also on staff at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, where she cares for patients in both perioperative and inpatient settings and has participated in a variety of surgeries as a first assist.
Alexandra offers a warm and collaborative approach to patient care. Her belief is that “patient education is key to a patient’s overall success.” This philosophy drives her to make more genuine connections with patients as well as their families to foster education, and understanding and ensure the most high-quality care.
Cheryl Tanita serves as Chief of the Audiology Division and has been a practicing audiologist since 1993. She is fully certified and licensed by the state of California, and a member of American Academy of Audiology and American Speech-Language Hearing Association. In addition, she has completed advanced training in specialized diagnostic techniques such as Electrocochleography (EcoG), Steady State ABR (ASSR), Vestibular Autorotation Testing (VAT), Videoelectronystagmography (VNG) as well as cochlear implant and implantable hearing device evaluation and rehabilitation.
Cheryl is also very active in research. She served as Principal Investigator in the six-year Clinical Trial on Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment completed in 2013, Sub-Investigator in the SoundBite Hearing System clinical study that concluded 2013, and continues as Clinical Coordinator for the Esteem Totally Implantable Hearing System Extended Follow-up of PMA Study. In addition to her patient care and research activities, she has served on the Board of Directors for the non-profit HearAid Foundation in Newport Beach since 2010.
Cheryl has a diverse background and experience in many different aspects of Audiology. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida, her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Arizona State University, and master’s degree in Audiology from Syracuse University. Prior to graduation, she completed her externship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, where she put her education to work by evaluating hearing disorders, and providing rehabilitative services such as hearing aid dispensing, cochlear implant and aural rehabilitation. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and joined Illinois Masonic Medical Center, a full diagnostic and trauma center in the heart of Chicago. Certified in Audiology, Cheryl collaborated with others to set up Illinois’ first early intervention and detection program for hearing loss in infants.
After seven years with Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Cheryl shifted her focus. She joined Siemens Corporation, where she was actively involved in research and development that included both international and domestic relations. She was also a National Account Representative for the continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico and Guam.
Gina joined Shohet Ear Associates after earning her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Arizona. She is fully certified and licensed by the state of California and also earned the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) for academic performance and clinical experience.
As a Clinical Audiologist, Gina conducts comprehensive audiologic evaluations for adult and pediatric patients and has received advanced training in vestibular assessment and electrophysiological testing including ABR, ECochG, and VEMP. She provides hearing aid and assistive listening device consultation, selection, fittings and follow up to ensure patient satisfaction. She also conducts patient candidacy evaluations, mapping and follow up for cochlear implants and consultation, selection, fitting and programming for implantable hearing devices. In addition, Gina provides counseling to Shohet Ear Associates patients to help improve communication.
Gina received her Bachelor of Science from Indiana University, majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She completed her doctoral externship at OC Physicians’ Hearing Services, and in February of 2015, she was the first author on a paper published in BMC Geriatrics Journal “The impact of cochlear implantation on cognition in older adults: a systematic review of clinical evidence.” Gina is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.
clinical experience.
Emma joined Shohet Ear Associates after earning her Doctor of Audiology degree from Arizona State University. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder for her undergraduate studies where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics.
Emma has extensive experience counseling patients on hearing loss and communication strategies that can help them live life more fully. She performed her clinical externship with Shohet Ear Associates working closely with the medical and audiology team to learn the intricacies of the latest hearing technologies.
As a clinical audiologist, she performs diagnostic hearing tests and vestibular assessments including Videonystagmography (VNG) and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP). She performs auditory evoked potential tests including Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR), and Electrocochleography (ECochG). In addition to diagnostic testing, Emma provides hearing aid consultations, fitting, and adjustment appointments. She performs candidacy evaluations, fittings, and adjustments for cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids, and middle ear implants.
Emma enjoys many aspects of audiology, including implementing the latest research and technology as well as using her interpersonal skills to connect with her patients. Her goal each day is to listen and adapt to the needs of the individuals she treats in order to offer a high level of patient-centered care.
Jillian joined Shohet Ear Associates after earning her Doctor of Audiology degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she earned her undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Services. As a clinical audiologist, it is Jillian’s priority to provide her patients with individualized, patient-centered care rooted in evidence-based research. Jillian completed her clinical externship at Shohet Ear Associates, working directly with our multidisciplinary team of medical professionals and audiologists to stay up to date on cutting-edge hearing technologies. Jillian provides her patients with consultation appointments, fitting appointments, and adjustments for hearing technologies, including hearing aids, Cochlear implants,bone-anchored hearing aids, and middle ear implants. Jillian performs a variety of diagnostic hearing tests, evoked auditory potential tests, and vestibular assessments, including VEMP testing, VNG, ASSR, ABR, and ECochG testing.
Meredith Leet, Patient Care Coordinator
Meredith has been in the medical field for over 20 years and joined Shohet Ear Associates as Patient Care Coordinator in 2016. She is responsible for coordinating patient surgeries with the surgery center, hospitals and other physician offices and handles all scheduling and communication with the patient, medical team and surgical facility. Meredith plays an instrumental role in guiding patients through the surgical process and answering any questions that may arise. Meredith also manages inquiries from outside vendors interested in sharing new products and procedures that may benefit our patients or medical practice.