Our Professional Staff

Dr. Coleman established Orange County Physicians' Hearing Services (OCPHS) in 2000 and manages all five office locations. He received his Masters Degree from California State University, Fullerton and received his training during his clinical fellowship year at House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles.

Dr. Higgins joined Orange County Physicians' Hearing Services (OCPHS) in June 2006. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Communications Sciences, and Disorders from Western Illinois University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was the recipient of the Departmental Scholar Award. Dr. Higgins received her clinical doctorate in audiology from Missouri State University. She completed her one-year clinical externship at OCPHS in 2007 and then joined the practice as a full time audiologist.

Dr. Niavarany received her Master's degree in Audiology from the University of Southampton in England. She obtained her Doctorate in Audiology from University of Florida. She joined O.C. Physicians' Hearing Services (OCPHS) from 2009 to 2011 where she completed her clinical fellowship. Dr. Niavarany returned to OCPHS in 2013.

Dr. Kristi Panek joined Orange County Physicians' Hearing Services (OCPHS) in August 2013. She received her Bachelor's degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University, and her Doctorate in Audiology from A. T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. Gilbert joined Orange County Physicians' Hearing Services in 2014, where he completed his fourth year clinical externship for licensure in the state of California. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology from Baylor University in 2011. He graduated with his Doctorate in Audiology from University of Florida.

Dr. Weaver has been with Orange County Physicians' Hearing Services since 2015. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in General Science from Grand View College (University), Iowa in 1993, his Master of Communication Disorders degree from LSU Medical Center, Louisiana in 1997, and his Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida in 2001.

Dr. Deanna Gende joined Orange County Physicians' Hearing Services in August 2021.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University and her Doctorate of Audiology from Idaho State University. Dr. Gende completed her fourth-year clinical externship at Shohet Ear Associates in 2016.

Dr. Kern joined Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services in 2024, completing her fourth- year clinical externship as part of the California audiology licensure process. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University in 2021, and went on to receive her Doctor of Audiology in 2025 through the joint program at San Diego State University and UC San Diego. 

Dr. Chu joined Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services in 2025, following the completion of her fourth-year clinical externship at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego as part of the California audiology licensure process. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University and went on to receive her Doctor of Audiology in 2025 through the joint program at San Diego State University and UC San Diego. 

Dr. Walker joined Orange County Physician Hearing Services in 2024. She is originally from Mission Viejo and returned to California after working in a variety of settings in Nevada and Colorado, including ENT clinics, mobile audiology, retail audiology, and private practices.

Dr. Liu joined Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services in 2024. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Economics from the University of California, SanDiego, and went on to receive his Doctor of Audiology degree from San Diego State University in 2015.

Dr. Finley joined Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services in 2025. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University in 2016 and went on to complete his Doctor of Audiology degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2021.

Ms. Batakji joined Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services mid-2025 as a fourth-year Audiology Extern. She is currently completing her Doctor of Audiology degree through the joint program at San Diego State University and UC San Diego, with anticipated graduation in May 2026. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Sacramento. 

Sam Rogerson joined Orange County Physician Hearing Services mid-2025 as a fourth-year Audiology Extern. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Southern California and is currently completing his Doctor of Audiology at the University of the Pacific, where he is expected to graduate in 2026.

Tiara Ortiz joined Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services in 2025 as a fourth-year clinical extern through the San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Audiology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Biola University in La Mirada, California, and will graduate with her Doctor of Audiology degree in May 2026.

Hannah Miller joined Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services in 2025 as a fourth-year extern. She is currently completing her Doctor of Audiology degree at Idaho State University and will graduate in May 2026. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University.