About AFA Institute

Dan Hewson co-owns AFA Balance & Hearing Institute with his wife, Cynthia. Born and raised in Western New York, he has spent his career in the hearing health field, including work with several of the largest otolaryngology practices in the country and a role as Regional Manager with the Siemens Medical Audiology Division. He and Cynthia co-founded the sister practice, Ascent Audiology, in 2015.

Dan came to this work through his own experience. He grew up with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and has worn hearing aids since childhood — more than 40 years. He has also lived with tinnitus and vertigo firsthand, which gives him an unusually direct understanding of what patients arriving at a balance and hearing clinic are going through. Education is his first priority, and he is at his most engaged hearing a patient's story and sharing his own.

Outside the clinic, Dan spends his time with Cynthia and their three children, and can be found playing softball, golf, and tennis or attending church.

Cynthia Hewson co-owns AFA Balance & Hearing Institute with her husband, Daniel, and serves as Practice Manager. She co-founded the sister practice, Ascent Audiology, with Daniel in 2015.

Dr. Matthew Wester is a Doctor of Audiology with more than 20 years of clinical practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Sonoma State University in 1993 and his Doctor of Audiology from the University of Memphis in 2006, with additional academic training at California State University, Chico.

Before joining the practice, Dr. Wester spent 16 years at Mayo Clinic Arizona specializing in vestibular and balance assessment, diagnostic audiology, and hearing loss and tinnitus rehabilitation — the exact clinical focus that defines the AFA Balance & Hearing Institute. His experience spans diagnostic testing, balance assessment, hearing conservation, and hearing rehabilitative services including hearing aid fitting.

Dr. Wester holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) and an Arizona license as a Dispensing Audiologist, and holds the academic rank of Instructor of Audiology. He has been an invited guest lecturer at national seminars and educational training courses. His treatment recommendations are grounded in research on the impact that treating hearing loss has on speech understanding, cognitive health, social engagement, and overall quality of life.

Denise is the Office Manager at AFA Balance & Hearing Institute, overseeing day-to-day clinic operations, scheduling, and the patient administrative experience.

Chere is a Patient Care Coordinator at AFA Balance & Hearing Institute, helping patients with scheduling, insurance verification, and pre-appointment preparation.

Mack is the Referral Coordinator at AFA Balance & Hearing Institute, managing incoming physician referrals and keeping referring providers updated through the course of a patient's care.

Michele is the Strategic Marketing and Admin Coordinator at AFA Balance & Hearing Institute, supporting community outreach, provider relations, and clinic administration.