Meet Our Team

We, the owners and operators of Webster Street Hearing Boutique, are planted in the Annapolis Valley. Local, quality product and personalized, genuine service is what we love about the Valley.

Hearing is the sense that gives us an attachment to all that our brilliant valley has to offer in nature, culture, sports and social events. Sound provides a sustained connection throughout life. It begins in the womb with the vibration of your mother’s pulse in your budding ears that grow to hear the lullabies of your childhood. Hearing brings you music of lifelong celebrations and conversations bridging personal connections. It is the murmurs of human interaction that you remember in your sunset days as you nurture contacts that bring comfort and joy. At Webster Street Hearing Boutique, we believe that, beyond the sentimental memory of sounds gone by, you should be allowed to savor the gift of hearing even when nature is less generous. 

Protecting your ears, prolonging your hearing and restoring your access to sound can help keep you grounded in your humanity. At Webster Street Hearing Boutique, we craft a unique hearing experience and strive to deliver exceptional care worthy of an Annapolis Valley reputation. Our philosophy is that the care of your precious sense should be a warm, nurturing experience of luxury. We welcome the honor to guide you on your hearing journey.

Come in and Join the Conversation!

Shayna Swift, ​BA, MSc

Board Certified Audiologist

      Shayna, our board certified audiologist, holds a Masters of Science degree in Audiology from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in Psychology from Western University. Her passion is hearing healthcare and helping patient's find customized solutions tailored to their unique lifestyles and hearing needs. She is committed to patient-centered care and staying up to date on all the latest and cutting-edge hearing technology.

      Shayna is originally from London, Ontario but is thrilled to be able to call Nova Scotia, and now the Annapolis Valley, her home. When she is not with patients, you can find Shayna exploring the outdoors with her dog or enjoying a good book. She is a certified yoga instructor and enjoys finding moments of calm and mindfulness in everyday situations.

      Shayna is looking forward to working with you to find the best way to meet your hearing and communication needs. Call the boutique to begin your better hearing health journey with Shayna!

Katie Cranford, ​MA, MSc, Aud-Reg

Board Certified Audiologist

      Katie is a board-certified audiologist who is passionate about hearing healthcare promotion, patient-focused care, and informed, collaborative decision-making. She has a particular interest in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment and has a unique understanding of the disorder as she lives with tinnitus herself! 

      She is originally from Roaches Line, Newfoundland and Labrador but has happily made Nova Scotia her home the last 5 years. She is an accomplished musician with extensive training in classical piano. These days Katie channels her music creativity in the genres of rock, pop, and folk music. She is an athlete with great respect for balance and the inner ear being an avid figure skater for over two decades. She continues to grace the ice locally with the Wolfville Skating Club. Katie relishes the beauty of Nova Scotia's landscape; she and her partner are often spotted hiking, paddleboarding, or enjoying a great patio!

      She has many academic passions, holding a Masters in Audiology from Dalhousie University but also a Bachelors of Arts in French and History and a Master of Arts in History from Memorial University of Newfoundland! The last few years she has looked after ears as a part of Nova Scotia Hearing & Speech in Kentville servicing the Annapolis Valley and beyond. These years in public practice allowed her to specialize in advanced diagnostic testing and establish a foothold in clinical education and public advocacy for hearing health.

      As a lifelong musician, Katie always says that her hearing is her favourite sense. Athletics and music have given Katie a deep appreciation for the ear and the importance of our sense of hearing. Whether it’s hearing conservation, counselling, or technology, she will help you find what’s best for your hearing health journey.

Julia MacKinnon, ​MSc, Aud-Reg

Board Certified Audiologist

      Julia is a board-certified audiologist with deep roots in Neuroscience.

She is insatiably curious about the intricacies of the hearing system, hearing loss, and how the brain interprets sound. With her interest in physiology of sounds, Julia found her perfect match in the field of Audiology and hearing rehabilitation to help those in her community. She completed her Bachelor of Science (honours in Neuroscience) from Carleton University leading her to a Master of Science in Audiology from Dalhousie University.

Originally from Cape Breton, this Maritimer spent her formative years in our nation's capital, Ottawa. Now her east coast heart is happy to be nestled back in its rightful place on Nova Scotian soil! Julia places high value on the human social connection with her friends and family and wishes you to find that same comfort in your own lives. She indulges her more contemplative side as an artist in the visual media of drawing and painting and as a naturophile exploring everything the beautiful Annapolis Valley has to offer.

Julia is devoted to hearing healthcare, unearthing unique hearing needs, and embracing the challenge of individualized hearing treatment. She is inspired by the continual innovations of hearing technology across the globe and is committed to distilling this information for her patients and our community. She is eager to meet you, explore your hearing challenges and share with you her fountain of scientific knowledge to guide you in discovering hearing at its best! 

Kayla Lowry

Hearing Care Specialist

      Say hello to Kayla, our Hearing Care Specialist who will cheerfully greet you with a welcoming smile. Kayla brings us 15 years experience in luxury retail which refined her attention to detail in the finer aspects of living.

Kayla travelled between Nova Scotia and Alberta in her earlier years but is now proud to plant her family in the beautiful Annapolis Valley. When she isn't creating luxury at Webster Street Hearing Boutique and taking care of patient hearing, she enjoys a glass of local wine with good friends, indulging in her garden or seeking adventures by land or by sea in Nova Scotia's natural beauty!

Kayla has diverse academic passions in analytical science and natural design.  She completed a Bachelor of Science at Saint Mary’s University and followed this with training in Landscape Horticulture at Dalhousie University. Most recently, she worked in Global Healthcare in International Medical Documentation with focus in Immunology and Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. She lends her broad expertise to our boutique specializing in ear care and advanced hearing technology!

Let Kayla be your guide to a seamless and elevated hearing care journey.

Ashley Dexter

Digital Marketing Manager

      Meet Ashley, our marketing expert and public liaison!

Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, Ashley is no stranger to the glory of this region. Ashley has had a hand in revamping a number of medical and paramedical practices across Nova Scotia and we are fortunate that, in her medical journeys, she has cultivated an interest in ears and hearing. Her passion for improving patient care and operational productivity makes her a very important part of the Webster Street Hearing Boutique team. 

Ashley’s mission is to keep you informed about the impacts of hearing loss and the latest developments in hearing aid technology. She distills the breadth of information for you to consume in person, online or through our "People in the Know" Gazette. Her great talent is in crafting concise, understandable, transparent information on life with hearing loss at any age and raising your awareness about access to care.

If you do not find Ashley engrossed in the creative process or administrative support, you are likely to catch her enjoying live music, supporting local entrepreneurs or trekking through the scenic Nova Scotia hiking trails. One thing is for sure, you can count on Ashley to keep you up to date with the latest promotions, events, and hearing health news. Don't forget to admire some of her handiwork as you follow us on Facebook, Instagram and subscribe to the Gazette. Join us and Join the Conversation!