Dr. Kathleen Coates, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAA
Clinical Audiologist/Owner

Dr. Kathleen Coates was first introduced to audiology when she noticed a ringing in her left ear. After many tests and an MRI scan, they found left-sided hearing loss of an unknown cause. Consequently, she started researching hearing loss and tinnitus and was drawn to the science, technology, and research involved within this field of study and the creative, patient-centered, and counseling approach to hearing loss treatment.

Dr. Coates completed 4 years of undergraduate studies with a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a minor in Aging Studies from Ohio State University. She went on to graduate school for 4 additional years to receive a Doctor of Audiology degree at the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium, which consisted of Kent State University, the University of Akron, and Cleveland Clinic. She finished her clinical externship at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem. She fell in love with NC, so she decided to stay.

Before opening her private audiology practice in Smithfield, Dr. Coates worked alongside a world-renowned neurotologist surgeon in Raleigh. She gained years of experience in all aspects of audiology, such as cochlear implants, osseointegrated hearing implants, hearing aids, balance assessment, tinnitus treatment, and facial nerve monitoring during hearing nerve tumor removal surgery in the operating room. Her extensive experience fulfills a great need for audiological services in her community.

Since community involvement is important to Dr. Coates, she started the Smithfield Running Club in 2017 and is on the board of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation. She is also a member of the Johnston Network on Aging, the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, and the NCCARE360. Additionally, Dr. Coates is an ambassador for the Dementia Alliance of NC and is on a medical advisory board for Johnston Community College. She also provides free educational seminars for local groups and senior centers through the Community and Senior Services of Johnston County.

When Dr. Coates is not at work, she and her husband enjoy spending time with family and friends, and renovating their old “fixer-upper” house that her husband’s grandparents built.