Valerie Ray, AuD, CCC-A

Originally from Bethel, Connecticut, Dr. Valerie Ray’s passion for audiology was sparked early. She recalls the challenges her grandfather faced with hearing loss. "I remember us all gathering around the speakerphone at his house in Long Island because he could hear better this way and include others in the conversation if he missed something." 

Dr. Ray began her studies at the University of Iowa with an interest in speech-language pathology. But it was the audiology team that changed her path. “The audiology professionals were incredible. I knew I wanted to be just like them.”

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Now Director of Audiology at SIU School of Medicine, Dr. Ray has dedicated more than 20 years to advancing hearing care across the region. Under her leadership, the department has earned multiple awards and continues to grow in both scope and impact.

She specializes in vestibular diagnostic testing and rehabilitation, as well as hearing diagnostics and treatment for adults and school-aged children.

Outside of work, she’s committed to animal rescue, generously volunteering her time, and even her home, to care for animals in need.