Heart of Texas Hearing Centers’s Team of Hearing Specialists
Hearing aids are an investment in your health and quality of life. Our team of hearing instrument specialists are committed to helping you hear better.
Erika Vela, HIS
Hearing Instrument Specialist
Erika is passionate about helping the hard of hearing and providing the highest quality of client care. She has over 26 years of experience fitting and dispensing hearing aids.
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She enjoyed a wonderful 20-year career with Starkey Hearing Technologies, one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world. During that time, she had the opportunity to travel the country, exploring many aspects of the hearing health industry. During her years at Starkey Hearing Technologies, Erika received numerous awards for her service and dedication to the hearing industry. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Hearing Aid Association.
Just prior to joining Heart of Texas Hearing Center, she spent 18 months in a very busy, private practice audiology clinic in Abilene. She quickly became addicted to helping patients reconnect to life through better hearing.
After traveling for her job for many years, relocating to West Texas has allowed Erika to stay closer to home to spend more time with her family. She and her husband Bryan have two adult children Nathan and Zachary.
Erika also enjoys spending time with friends and family attending live music events in the surrounding area. She also enjoys camping and practicing yoga.
James Fowler, MD
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist
Dr. James Fowler, MD is an Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat) Specialist in Brownwood, Stephenville, & Abilene Texas. He has over 29 years of experience in the medical field.
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He graduated from University of Texas- San Antonio Long Medical School in 1992. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Brownwood Regional Medical Center, Heart of Texas Memorial, Hendrick Hospital, Comanche County Medical Center, & ACOM in Abilene.
Dr. James Fowler is married to Dr. Lisa Fowler who specializes in Internal Medicine in Brownwood, Texas. They have three wonderful children. Dr. Fowler enjoys golfing, fishing and spending time at the lake with his family.
Gus Casas
Audiologist
Gus Casas has been an Audiologist for over 45 years. He earned his BSE and MS from Baylor University. Gus is a retired Major from the United States Air Force Reserve. He enjoys reading and watching movies in his time off.
Mike Dugan, HIS
Hearing Instrument Specialist
Mike Dugan has been helping people hear better for 32 years. He started by owning his own practice in Abilene for 8 years with satellite offices in San Angelo, Brownwood, and Temple.
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In 2002, he sold his practice and went to work for Starkey Labs. During his 6 years with Starkey labs, he learned the ins and outs of the manufacturing and marketing end of the hearing aid industry.
In 2008 he took back the Brownwood location until he merged with Heart of Texas Hearing Centers and Dr. Fowler in 2021.
According to Mike, “There is absolutely nothing better than changing lives with better hearing.” In his off time, Mike is an avid golfer and a grandfather to two grandchildren who live in Abilene.
Brittany Wilson
Patient Care Coordinator
Brittany Wilson joined Heart of Texas Hearing Centers in January 2021. She has worked in the medical field for 12 years, specifically Audiology for 3.
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This has been the most rewarding job Brittany has had. Having the opportunity to be a part of the process of helping a client hear again is such a blessing for her and getting to know and interact with clients is an amazing experience.
Brittany was born in Turlock, CA and moved to Texas with her grandparents when she was 5. Brittany loves Texas and does not think she would want to live anywhere else. She graduated from Clyde High School in 2006 and still lives in Clyde today, Go Bulldogs!
Brittany has 2 kiddos, Chloe and Kale who are her whole world. Chloe loves school and wants to be a doctor when she grows up and also loves Broadway. Kale wants to go to space. He is NASA bound! They have 2 pets, their cat Mac and husky Finn.
For fun they love to travel or have family outings. They love BBQ’s and days at the lake. They all also love to binge watch Glee together on lazy Sundays.
Taylor
Patient Care Coordinator
Aleshia Hill
Patient Care Coordinator
Aleshia Hill is a native Texan who started working with Heart of Texas Hearing Centers in the summer of 2021.
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Having been in the medical industry for 24 years prior; Aleshia brings experience in all areas of the medical office. She is currently studying to obtain her Hearing Instrument Specialist License so she can take her career further within the organization.
Aleshia and her husband are avid animal lovers and will take in rescues of all kinds to give them a place to call home on their farm. They are currently working to complete their off grid tiny home and developing the land to be self sufficient while sustaining their family needs.
Pam
Insurance Billing Specialist
Pam has been in the medical billing field for over 25 years. She enjoys helping patients navigate the intricacies of their insurance benefits to get them the best payment from their insurance possible.
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By doing this she is lowering the patients out of pocket amount while getting them the care they need.
She and her husband George plan their free time around the activities and sports that their grandchildren participate in. She is an avid crafter and enjoys trying new things.
Why wait? You don't have to live with hearing loss.