Who We Are

Laurie Hanin, Ph.D., CCC-A

Executive Director

Laurie Hanin is the Executive Director of the Center for Hearing and Communication and has been with CHC since 1992. She has been an audiologist for over 25 years. She received her Masters degree in Audiology in 1979 from Queens College of the City University of New York, and her Ph.D degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 1988. She has been a researcher in the areas of hearing loss and cochlear implantation and focused much of her clinical audiological work in pediatrics. She recently received the New York State Distinguished Clinician Award, is well published, and has made frequent presentations at major conferences and conventions in addition to numerous television appearances as a leading expert in audiology, particularly on The Today Show.  

Ellen Pfeffer Lafargue, Au.D, CCC-A

Director, Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center 

Dr. Ellen Lafargue is the Assistant Executive Director and the Director of the Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center at the Center for Hearing and Communication. She has worked at CHC since 1983. Dr. Lafargue specializes in state-of-the-art hearing device evaluation and fitting on adults. She is widely regarded throughout the tri-state area as being one of the most skilled audiologists in providing adults with the best hearing device for them. She supervises a staff of 7 audiologists. Dr. Lafargue received her Master's Degree in Audiology in 1983 from Hunter College of the City University of New York and her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2003 from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She has been an adjunct faculty member at NYU and Kean College in New Jersey. Dr. Lafargue is certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the states of New York and New Jersey.

Lois Kam Heymann, M.A., CCC-SLP

Director, Shelley and Steven Einhorn Communication Center

Lois Kam Heymann is a speech-language pathologist with over 30 years experience working with people of all ages who are deaf and hard of hearing as well as children with listening, learning and auditory challenges, including auditory processing disorder (or APD). Having presented hundreds of in-service workshops, seminars and conferences, Heymann is a sought-after speaker and author of the book The Sound of Hope, a 2010 Random House publication. Through the use of innovative therapeutic techniques, Heymann and her team of uniquely skilled speech-language pathologists help infants, children and adults achieve their full communication potential. ListenLoveLearn® is the company Heymann developed with the mission of sharing the successful techniques and philosophy she has developed over the course of her career. Among its product offerings is Category Carousel, the first in a series of apps designed to help children develop their listening and language skills. Prior to joining CHC in July, 2010, Lois was on the faculty of the State University of New York (SUNY) where she was a professor in the Department of Communication Disorders and supervised a university-based clinic for individuals with hearing and listening challenges. Lois has had a private practice specializing in children with hearing and listening challenges for the past 20 years. Lois received her degrees from Emerson College in Boston and City College.

Anita Stein-Meyers, Au.D, CCC-A

Assistant Director, Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center

Dr. Anita Stein-Meyers is the Assistant Director of the Shelley and Steven Einhorn Audiology Center at the Center for Hearing and Communication and has worked as an audiologist at CHC since 1986. Dr. Stein-Meyers’ area of expertise for the past 20 years has been in the comprehensive audiological evaluation and amplification fitting of infants and young children. Through the use of state-of-the-art equipment and her years of knowledge she brings expert care and compassion to families widely throughout New York and New Jersey. She received her Master's Degree in Audiology in 1986 from Brooklyn College and her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2003 from the Arizona School of Health Sciences.. Dr. Stein-Meyers has presented on hearing loss in children at state and national conventions. She is certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, and is licensed in the state of New York.

Linda Kessler, M.A., CCC-SLP

Assistant Director, The Shelley and Steven Einhorn Communication Center

Linda Kessler's has been working as a speech-language pathologist at CHC for a period of 20 years. Her experience includes working with both children and adults with a focus on speech, language, speechreading and auditory therapy. She currently provides a broad range of rehabilitative services to school-age children and adults. Her particular area of expertise is providing auditory training to individuals who have received a cochlear implant. She is also responsible for the provision and oversight of CHC’s individual and group speechreading program, one of the only such programs in the New York City area. She received her Master's Degree in Speech Pathology from Teachers' College, Columbia University in 1964. She is certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of New York.

Jeffrey Wax, CSW-R, IC/TC, EMDR

Director of Emotional Health and Wellness

Jeff Wax is the Director of the Emotional Health and Wellness Center and has worked at CHC since 2002 as a clinical social worker. Mr. Wax has provided counseling services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing for over 15 years and has worked with clients of all ages, gender and sexual orientation. Jeff has coordinated and presented at numerous professional regional and national conferences on a variety of mental health issues and policies. He oversees 2 clinical social workers, both of whom are also proficient in American Sign Language. He received his Master's Degree in Social Work from Hunter College in 1994 and is also certified by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Jeff has completed the NYC Department Health Certification as an HIV pre/post test HIV test counselor and has also been trained in the therapeutic technique known as EMDR. He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Nancy Nadler, M.E.D., M.A. 

 Assistant Executive Director and Director of Development

Nancy Nadler is the Assistant Executive Director and Director of Development at the Center for Hearing and Communication. She has worked at CHC since 1985. Prior to being named Development Director in 2004, Nancy Nadler established CHC's Noise Center in 1992. As Director of the Noise Center she developed, coordinated and implemented International Noise Awareness Day, a worldwide campaign designed to educate students and the general public about the impact of noise on hearing, health and quality of life. She has served as an advisor to the Mayor, helping to revise New York City's Noise Code. Prior to becoming the Director of the Noise Center, Ms. Nadler was the Director of the Career Development Department at CHC from 1985-1992. Ms. Nadler was an adjunct professor in the Masters Program in Deafness Rehabilitation at New York University as well as a teacher at Clarke School for the Deaf. Ms. Nadler received her Masters Degree in Education of the Deaf from Smith College in 1982 and a Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College/Columbia University in 1985. As a guest expert on The Today Show, CNN, NBC Nightly News, 20/20, as well as NPR, BBC and The New York Times, Nancy Nadler is sought out extensively to discuss issues related to noise and hearing health. 

Shelley Hubert, Chief Financial Officer

Shelley Hubert joined CHC as the Chief Financial Officer In January 2009. Shelley previously worked at The New York Public Library as Associate Controller and served the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science as Director of Fund Accounting. Ms. Hubert is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of New York and holds a BS in Accounting from Binghamton University. Shelley earned a Certificate in Fundraising from the New York University School of Continuing and Profession Studies and is currently a candidate for a Masters in Public Administration from the CUNY Baruch School of Public Affairs. Ms. Hubert is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and has served on boards of two non-profit institutions in her community.

Center for Hearing and Communication - FLORIDA

Kim Schur, Au D, CCC-A

Director, Center for Hearing and Communication - Florida
Director, Audiology Department - Florida

Kim Schur has been the Director of the Center for Hearing and Communication-Florida since 2001. Prior to that, she worked as an audiologist at the Center for Hearing and Communication, New York, from 1995 to 2001. Dr. Schur received her Masters degree in Audiology from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York in 1995 and her Doctor of Audiology degree from Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2004. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is also a member of the American Academy of Audiology, the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology, and the A.G. Bell Association. She is licensed in audiology by the states of New York and Florida. She has published and presented extensively at many national conferences.

Shana Williams, Psy.D.

Director - Psychological Services

Dr. Williams is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been practicing in South Florida since 1993 and has worked at CHC since June 2004. She received her doctorate degree in psychology at Carlos Albizu University in Florida in 1998. She completed her residency program for her degree at Jackson Memorial Hospital with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mental Health Program. She is fluent in American Sign Language and her specialties include the assessment and treatment of emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, Florida Psychological Association, Broward Mental Health Association, National Association of the Deaf, and the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association.