Physicians Hearing Center at ENTcare
A message from Physicians Hearing Center at ENTcare about COVID-19:
We are open and are operating under normal hours.
Clinic staff

Julie Ann Rikard
Dr. Rikard earned her doctorate in Audiology from the University of Arizona, and she has been employed with ENTcare for the past 20 years. As director of Physicians Hearing Center, she has led her team to be awarded one of the largest practice in the US for the past ten years by the American Hearing Aid Association. Julie Ann believes in making a difference in people's lives through building relationships with each person and providing the highest level of care. She does this by focusing on each person's individual needs. Following a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Rikard personalizes a care plan to meet each individual's specific hearing healthcare requirements and lifestyle.

Blakely Ellis
Dr. Ellis earned her degree from Auburn University in 2012. She is our newest addition to the Physicians Hearing Center team. She was born and raised in Troy, AL, and Physicians Hearing Center is excited to grow the practice with an audiologist who has a lot of experience and is thoroughly educated. Dr. Ellis has eight years of clinical experience, including a background in an ENT setting and specialty work with Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL. As a new resident of the wiregrass area, she looks forward to serving the community by providing patients with the best hearing healthcare available.

Gracie Herndon
Dr. Gracie Herndon holds a doctorate in Audiology from Arizona School of Health Sciences. She graduated with her bachelor of science from Columbus State University then earned her master's from Louisiana Tech. Dr. Herndon has been serving patients at ENTCare for over 30 years. Gracie is board certified in Audiology and is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech & Hearing Association, American Hearing Aid Association, and the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling, farming, and fishing with her husband.
Clinic reviews
Healthy Hearing posts all positive and negative reviews that meet publishing criteria.Read 43 verified patient reviews for Physicians Hearing Center at ENTcare! Their average review score is 5 () from 43 reviews.
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“I have been wearing hearing aids for 20 years. My most recent pair from Physicians Hearing Center are the best technology I have ever experienced. I can truly hear and understand. I highly recommend seeing one of their doctors. ”
09/01/2020 Review submitted online
“Physicians Hearing Center has been a life changer for our family. Both my parents can hear now, and the grandkids enjoy visiting with them again. Thank you so much!”
07/14/2020 Review submitted online
“Wonderful receptionist and great hearing doctors. ”
03/16/2020 Review received via mail
“My experience was very nice, happy, wanting to help. ”
03/16/2020 Review received via mail
“Very helpful and informative. Great group! ”
02/24/2020 Review received via mail
“It was a wonderful experience. Blakely was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. ”
02/24/2020 Review received via mail
“Always good to see Julie Ann and the other girls. Thank you all. Fun place to come.”
02/24/2020 Review received via mail
“Thank you for another great experience. I think I just heard a cricket chirping outside. ”
02/24/2020 Review received via mail
“My experience was very good. ”
02/24/2020 Review received via mail
“Very helpful!!”
01/29/2020 Review received via mail
“My experience was great, everybody was helpful and nice. Coffee and cookies were also good. ”
01/29/2020 Review received via mail
“Everyone was very nice. Enjoyed the visit. ”
01/29/2020 Review received via mail
“I had put off an audiologist visit for almost a decade. My first experience with Dr. Rikard has been a life-changer. My family, as well as I, are totally satisfied with your product. Thank you. ”
11/22/2019 Review received via mail
“Had my hearing checked for the first time!! The doctors are very informative and knowledgeable. I will definitely be back! ”
11/11/2019 Review received via mail
“It was great. ”
11/11/2019 Review received via mail
“Awesome! Love this group!!”
09/20/2019 Review received via mail
“Very pleased with the service and attention. ”
09/20/2019 Review received via mail
“I recently got new hearing aids and this is my third set. My new aids are significantly better than any pair I have ever had. I am very pleased. ”
09/04/2019 Review received via mail
“Professional, informative experience that was above expectations! Thank you!!”
09/04/2019 Review received via mail
“Detail information after hearing test. Took home demo hearing aids and charger. Much time spent by Dr. Julie and with me on initial visit and all questions answered on both visits. ”
08/20/2019 Review received via mail
“Very interesting and nice visit. ”
08/16/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience was wonderful. Awesome people. ”
08/13/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience was definitely a "10"!!”
08/13/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience was excellent as always. ”
08/13/2019 Review received via mail
“Fantastic. ”
08/13/2019 Review received via mail
“Physicians Hearing Center is excellent in every area of service. ”
08/09/2019 Review received via mail
“Excellent. ”
08/09/2019 Review received via mail
“The absolute best ever. Everyone in office, great. ”
08/08/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience at Physicians Hearing Center was amazing. The staff is very professional and knowledgeable. My new hearing aids are much better than anything I have ever tried. ”
08/08/2019 Review received via mail
“My new hearing aids are amazing. I can understand my family in a restaurant again and the TV is so clear. Thanks Physicians Hearing Center. ”
08/08/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience was wonderful! ”
08/07/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience was great! Appreciate Dr. Brennan working one in today for a visit. Thanks! ”
08/06/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience was very nice, got lots of information. ”
08/06/2019 Review received via mail
“Very pleasant, helpful staff. Audiologists there are professional, knowledgeable and caring. Truly going the extra mile to help. Very friendly office, complete with coffee and cookies. ”
07/31/2019 Review received via mail
“Very friendly and helpful. ”
07/29/2019 Review received via mail
“Very informative and interesting. Dr. Ellis was very kind. ”
07/29/2019 Review received via mail
“Very efficient and enjoyable. ”
07/29/2019 Review received via mail
“My experience was very helpful. ”
07/29/2019 Review received via mail
“Great staff from the front desk to the hearing professionals. I have had GREAT response from both of these fine hearing specialists. Gracie and Julie Ann take time to listen and understand the subjectivity of my hearing concerns that as I try to explain what I have been experiencing. Both have made adjustments to my aides they have been spot on that have addressed my concerns thereby enhancing my ability to comfortably wear my hearing instruments. Thanks everybody for your professional help and response to my needs.”
12/21/2016 Review submitted online
“Very professional staff. My hearing devices have improved my quality of hearing and made life more enjoyable.”
06/17/2015 Review submitted online
“The staff is so professional and educated in the field. So thankful for everything they have done for us. Highly recommend Physicians Hearing Center.”
06/10/2015 Review submitted online
“They were very professional and my hearing devices have been wonderful. I can hear and understand perfectly, and this has given me the most confidence when out with family and friends. Thank you PHC!”
02/09/2015 Review submitted online
“They were very honest, thorough, and very knowledgeable. ”
11/05/2014 Review verified by phone
Clinic details
About this hearing center
Physicians Hearing Center, a division of ENTcare, is your healthy hearing resource. For over 35 years, our team of ENT physicians and doctors of audiology have been providing patients the best hearing health care possible. Our talented staff consists of three otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctors), three audiologists, a certified nurse practitioner, and a caring support team. Whenever we see that medical treatment is necessary, we immediately notify one of our physicians. This allows for the most comprehensive hearing healthcare care in the tri-state area. Physicians Hearing Center has been locally awarded the Best Hearing Aid Provider for the past 20 years!
Hearing care services
Physicians Hearing Center provides the following services:
- comprehensive hearing evaluations for children and adults
- newborn hearing screenings
- tinnitus evaluations
- earwax removal
- hearing loss counseling
- hearing aid evaluations
- real-ear verification testing (REM)
- hearing aid sales
- assistive listening devices
- custom hearing protection
- ear molds and swim molds
- custom musicians plugs
Hours of operation
Sunday | Closed |
Monday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm by appointment |
Tuesday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm by appointment |
Wednesday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm by appointment |
Thursday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm by appointment |
Friday | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm by appointment |
Saturday | Closed |
Clinic links
Accepted forms of payment
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover
- Cash
- Check
- Debit
- Financing available for those who qualify
- Insurance accepted, please call for details