About Us

Dr. Arica Black is the owner of The Hearing Doctor and has been practicing in Lubbock since 2013. Her interest in speech and hearing began early in life while growing up with a sister who was diagnosed with multiple disabilities. She became an advocate for the speech and hearing impaired before beginning grade school. Dr. Black received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences and graduated top of her class with her Doctorate of Audiology degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, Academy of Doctors of Audiology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She has received the TTUHSC Audiology survivor awards and was named one of the Top 20 Under 40 by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Black serves on the board for the Alpha Phi sorority House Board and is Vice President of the Lubbock Sales Executive Association. She is the founder of Help for Hearing Lubbock, which provides free hearing aids to those in need. Her interests outside the practice include fitness classes, volunteering in the Lubbock community and spending time with her husband Trent and their two sons Mason and Barrett.

Erika Wilcox is an audiology resident. She grew up in the Houston area and came to Lubbock in 2014 to pursue her education in the field of Speech and Hearing. You may have seen her at the office while she worked part-time throughout her doctoral degree, and will be continuing her career at our practice after graduation. Erika graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences. She has completed all of her coursework and licensing examinations for the Doctorate of Audiology program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is in the process of completing her final year of clinical practicum before she graduates with her Doctorate of Audiology in May of 2022. When Erika is not in the practice, she enjoys reading and spend time outdoors. One of her favorite things to do is go hiking with her dogs, Disco and Jubal. She is very excited to meet all of our patients and serve the community of West Texas for their hearing needs.

Dara has been the Office Manager at The Hearing Doctor for 11 years and coordinates insurance benefits for our patients. She grew up in Slaton and has lived in Lubbock for 45 years. Dara is married to her husband Curtis and they have two children and five grandchildren. When she isn’t at the office, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling and going to estate sales.

Vanessa is a Patient Care Coordinator at The Hearing Doctor. She comes from the small town of Seminole, Texas. Vanessa graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and went on to graduate from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with her Bachelors of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Vanessa is continuing her education and plans to attend the Doctorate program in Audiology. She is always there to welcome our patients with the warmest smile! When she is not at work, she is either at the shooting range or practicing her compound bow. Vanessa enjoys hunting and spending time with her family.

Shanel is originally from Burnet, Texas but now calls Lubbock home. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications. Shanel has been a part of the rodeo and western industry for the last decade where she has served numerous rodeos across the state of Texas as their rodeo queen. Shanel actively rides and shows in reining and cow horse competitions with her two horses she has trained herself, Zoe and Koko. Outside of work and spending time with her horses, she enjoys spending time with her two Australian Shepherds, Ranger and Paisley, reading a good book, working out and gardening.

I was born and raised in Lubbock,TX. I have two awesome daughters who are 20 and 21 years old. My oldest daughter is attending Covenant School of Nursing and my youngest daughter attends Texas Tech. I attended school at New Deal High School and received my Associates from South Plains College. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my daughters and friends. I also love planting flowers and shopping at antique stores. I am an avid coffee drinker and I love meeting new people. I enjoy life and love meeting all the new people I get to serve at the Hearing Doctor.