Meet Our Staff

Dr. McCray is a seasoned audiologist with 35+ years of experience in hearing healthcare, working primarily in ENT/Otology clinics and hospital settings. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University and after graduation she immediately obtained her hearing aid dispensing license and took a job at a private audiology practice. After a few years, she returned to school for her Master’s degree in Audiology. She completed her training at Portland State University in Portland Oregon and served her clinical fellowship with a focus on balance disorders under the direction of Dr. John Epley, the creator of the “Epley Maneuvers” for positional vertigo. After her fellowship training, Dr. McCray settled into a private neurotology practice in Portland for the next dozen years working closely with the medical staff and becoming specialized in testing and treating highly complex medical and surgical cases, including cochlear and bone anchored implants for children and adults. In 2006, she completed her doctorate in Audiology at A.T. Still University/Arizona School of Health Sciences and continued to serve in various ENT/Otology practices in California, Georgia, and finally at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea MN. Dr. McCray has also been an educator serving adjunct faculty positions at Portland State and George Fox Universities in Oregon. Over the years, she has tested and treated patients of all ages, from newborns who are just days old to adults in all phases of their life. Dr. McCray is very excited to join Amy Swain Hearing Centers and she will be providing care in both the Rochester and Austin Clinics.

Dr. McCray is also an accomplished musician who put herself through school playing piano professionally. She has performed in the United States and abroad and has also directed both vocal and handbell choirs over the years. She is the current conductor of the American Academy of Audiology’s “Fabulous Audiology Chorus” that performs each year at the annual Academy conference. Dr. McCray is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the American Auditory Society. She is certified in Audiology since 2010 by the American Board of Audiology, an organization for which she currently serves a position on the Board of Directors.

Dr. McCray is a seasoned audiologist with 35+ years of experience in hearing healthcare, working primarily in ENT/Otology clinics and hospital settings. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University and after graduation she immediately obtained her hearing aid dispensing license and took a job at a private audiology practice. After a few years, she returned to school for her Master’s degree in Audiology. She completed her training at Portland State University in Portland Oregon and served her clinical fellowship with a focus on balance disorders under the direction of Dr. John Epley, the creator of the “Epley Maneuvers” for positional vertigo. After her fellowship training, Dr. McCray settled into a private neurotology practice in Portland for the next dozen years working closely with the medical staff and becoming specialized in testing and treating highly complex medical and surgical cases, including cochlear and bone anchored implants for children and adults. In 2006, she completed her doctorate in Audiology at A.T. Still University/Arizona School of Health Sciences and continued to serve in various ENT/Otology practices in California, Georgia, and finally at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea MN. Dr. McCray has also been an educator serving adjunct faculty positions at Portland State and George Fox Universities in Oregon. Over the years, she has tested and treated patients of all ages, from newborns who are just days old to adults in all phases of their life. Dr. McCray is very excited to join Amy Swain Hearing Centers and she will be providing care in both the Rochester and Austin Clinics.

Dr. McCray is also an accomplished musician who put herself through school playing piano professionally. She has performed in the United States and abroad and has also directed both vocal and handbell choirs over the years. She is the current conductor of the American Academy of Audiology’s “Fabulous Audiology Chorus” that performs each year at the annual Academy conference. Dr. McCray is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the American Auditory Society. She is certified in Audiology since 2010 by the American Board of Audiology, an organization for which she currently serves a position on the Board of Directors.

Dr. Benton grew up in Rochester, MN, and earned her Doctorate of Audiology from Pacific University near Portland, Oregon. Her passion for audiology began with her own family’s history of hearing loss, giving her a personal understanding of how hearing can shape everyday life. With a background in American Sign Language and a strong belief in patient-centered care, she is dedicated to creating meaningful connections and helping each individual hear their best. Dr. Benton is excited to be part of the Amy Swain team and looks forward to making a positive impact in the community.

Dr. Benton’s interest in audiology started at a young age. Her great-grandmother lived with a severe progressive hearing loss, and she was fascinated by the hearing aids she wore and would ask many questions to understand how they function. Together they’d change batteries and clean the devices. Dr. Benton’s grandmother also has hearing loss managed by hearing aids, and she would attend appointments prior to her education. These experiences motivated Dr. Benton to become an audiologist—supporting people through their hearing journey and learning about the latest technology that can make a difference. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in 2022 and went on to work as a Newborn Hearing Screener, assessing babies in both the well-baby unit and NICU. During this time she also completed medical improvement research to educate patients about cochlear implants.

She then pursued her Doctorate of Audiology at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon, where she also completed research on hearing screening protocols in U.S. Tribal schools. Outside of the classroom, she and her husband, Deven, loved exploring the Pacific Northwest—hiking waterfalls, spending time on the Oregon Coast, and discovering Portland’s unique culture. For her final year of training, Dr. Benton returned closer to home, completing her externship at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN, where she gained valuable experience in vestibular testing, cochlear implant programming, and pediatric amplification.

Today, Dr. Benton sees patients in the Owatonna, Austin, and Waseca offices, and is thrilled to join the Amy Swain team. When she isn’t working, you’ll likely find her and Deven on the golf course, reading a good “whodone-it” mystery novel, or spending quality time with family and friends.

Dr. Benton grew up in Rochester, MN, and earned her Doctorate of Audiology from Pacific University near Portland, Oregon. Her passion for audiology began with her own family’s history of hearing loss, giving her a personal understanding of how hearing can shape everyday life. With a background in American Sign Language and a strong belief in patient-centered care, she is dedicated to creating meaningful connections and helping each individual hear their best. Dr. Benton is excited to be part of the Amy Swain team and looks forward to making a positive impact in the community.

Dr. Benton’s interest in audiology started at a young age. Her great-grandmother lived with a severe progressive hearing loss, and she was fascinated by the hearing aids she wore and would ask many questions to understand how they function. Together they’d change batteries and clean the devices. Dr. Benton’s grandmother also has hearing loss managed by hearing aids, and she would attend appointments prior to her education. These experiences motivated Dr. Benton to become an audiologist—supporting people through their hearing journey and learning about the latest technology that can make a difference. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in 2022 and went on to work as a Newborn Hearing Screener, assessing babies in both the well-baby unit and NICU. During this time she also completed medical improvement research to educate patients about cochlear implants.

She then pursued her Doctorate of Audiology at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon, where she also completed research on hearing screening protocols in U.S. Tribal schools. Outside of the classroom, she and her husband, Deven, loved exploring the Pacific Northwest—hiking waterfalls, spending time on the Oregon Coast, and discovering Portland’s unique culture. For her final year of training, Dr. Benton returned closer to home, completing her externship at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN, where she gained valuable experience in vestibular testing, cochlear implant programming, and pediatric amplification.

Today, Dr. Benton sees patients in the Owatonna, Austin, and Waseca offices, and is thrilled to join the Amy Swain team. When she isn’t working, you’ll likely find her and Deven on the golf course, reading a good “whodone-it” mystery novel, or spending quality time with family and friends.