Meet our Team
Instant Ear Clinic offers a unique telehealth model designed to improve access to timely, high-quality patient care.
At IEC, we believe hearing, tinnitus, and balance care should be both accessible and efficient. With the rapidly growing population in the Research Triangle area and the increasing demand for audiology services, many individuals do not have timely access to hearing and vestibular care.
IEC is not intended to replace in-person audiology services. Instead, we utilize telehealth technology to assess symptoms, provide medical consultations and referrals, and, when appropriate, offer online prescription services to help initiate early treatment while patients await their ENT or audiology appointments.
Our team includes three clinically trained audiologists, a nurse practitioner, and an on-call otolaryngologist dedicated to serving your needs. We are committed to providing effective counseling and guidance to support informed decision-making throughout your treatment journey.
Meet the Team
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Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Joseph Pinkl earned his Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree from Northern Illinois University and subsequently worked in both the private and government sectors. He later received his PhD in Auditory Sciences from the University of Cincinnati, where he completed advanced training in preclinical research and therapeutic development. Dr. Pinkl brings invaluable expertise to Instant Ear Clinic, offering deep insight into diagnostic evaluation, disease mechanisms, and the interpretation of off-label drug data. His unique combination of clinical and research experience helps support evidence-based approaches to hearing and balance disorders.
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Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Andie Felix earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and completed her Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) and Ph.D. at The University of Texas at Dallas. She specializes in the evaluation and management of tinnitus, noise-induced hearing loss, and age-related hearing loss. Dr. Felix is dedicated to providing evidence-based, patient-centered care that helps individuals improve their hearing, communication, and quality of life.
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Clinical Audiologist
Dr. John Hawks earned his Master’s and Doctorate in Audiology from Washington University – St. Louis. Dr. Hawks joined Gateway in 2013 after 25 years of teaching and research at Kent State University. While his research has focused on strategies for cochlear implants, the effects of noise and tinnitus, he has trained over 500 clinical audiologists. He brings this experience to provide you with top-notch clinical hearing care.