About Us

MISSOURI BALANCE AND DIZZINESS CENTER WITH OUTSTANDING RESULTS

Midwest Dizziness and Balance Institute in Creve Coeur, Missouri, opened in 2018 and provides a full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment solutions to bring back your quality of life. Our experienced staff has treated vestibular disorders for over 15 years. Our audiologists are highly-skilled specialists using evidence-based approaches and the most advanced medical technology to clearly assess your needs and customize your care. Their expertise centers on a passion for accurate vestibular diagnosis and full vestibular rehabilitation. Restoring your wellness and bringing your life back to balance is our priority.

Our Mission

To be the first and only stop for patients with dizziness and/or balance disorders, providing complete diagnostic and treatment options in order to bring balance back into their life.

A One-of-a-Kind Center for Balance Issues

MDBI is the ONLY facility in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area that specializes in BOTH the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of vestibular dysfunction. The Institute is one of only a handful of clinics in the nation that is this qualified and specialized. It is our life's work to assess and rehabilitate your vestibular system. We know exactly what you are going through.

MDBI specializes in a broad spectrum of vestibular dysfunction, including:

Neuritis/Labyrinthitis
Otolith Dysfunction
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Migraine-Associated Vertigo (MAV)
Meniere’s disease
Vestibular Ocular Reflex Dysfunction
Motion sensitivity

We are fully equipped to test, accurately diagnose, and treat these disorders. We eliminate frustrating and time-consuming travel by providing both diagnosis and treatment at our one convenient location.

FIND OUR CENTER

Meet The Team

Jaime L. Carmody, MS, F-AAA

Audiologist and Founder

Jaime Carmody received her Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Louis University and her Master of Audiology degree from Washington University School of Medicine. She was immediately drawn to dizziness and balance disorders and focused her entire Master’s studies and Thesis on vestibular dysfunction. Upon graduation, she partnered with Sound Health Services to start the Dizziness and Balance Center, which she operated and ran for 13 years. During this time, her focus was strictly on the diagnosis of dizziness, vertigo and balance dysfunction. Unfortunately, at that time, the treatment options were limited. She constantly sought out continuing education and knowledge in order to provide more advanced testing and now subsequently treatment for the dizzy patient. After years of researching the best diagnostics and traveling the US to see what other specialists were providing for treatment, she knew there was so much more she could provide to these hard to diagnosis and treat patients. She decided to open Midwest Dizziness and Balance Institute in 2018 with the sole purpose of seeing patients through their journey from start to finish. Dizziness is her passion, and she has dedicated her life to helping patients overcome this debilitating issue. In her free time, Jaime enjoys being outside, spending as much time as she can with her family, working out and practicing yoga, reading and traveling.

Dr. Whitney Lupo - Navy coat cropped.jpg

Whitney Lupo, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAA

Audiologist

Dr. Whitney M. Lupo received her Bachelor of Science degree with minors in Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 2010. She received her Doctoral degree in Audiology from Missouri State University in 2014. She completed her 4th year externship at Ear Care and Skull Base Surgery, where she was able to develop her skills in diagnostic testing and treatment of the vestibular system. Dr. Lupo immediately took an interest in testing and treating patients with dizziness and balance disorders. After her externship, she took a position at ENT Associates, Inc., a Division of Sound Health Services where she continued to develop and focus these skills. With access to more advanced diagnostic testing and treatment options, Dr. Lupo joined MDBI in 2018 recognizing an opportunity to further develop her skills and provide better care for her patients. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Lupo’s role at MDBI extends to being the lead supervisor for Doctoral Externs as they complete their studies at our practice. She has a passion for her role at MDBI and also loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, good food and drinks, and being exposed to new things.

Dr. Nicole Downen - Navy coat croppped.jpg

Nicole R. Downen, Au.D.

Audiologist

Dr. Nicole R Downen received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Psychology and Children Studies, as well as her Doctoral degree in Audiology from Illinois State University. She completed her 4th year externship at both Sound Health Services and Midwest Dizziness and Balance Institute (MDBI). While she was at MDBI she exceeded at vestibular diagnostic testing and treatment for patients with vestibular dysfunction. Nicole enjoys getting to know her patients and helping them to find relief with their dizziness and/or balance concerns. In her free time, she enjoys watching the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues, traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Katlyn R. Plotzer, Au.D., CCC-A

Audiologist

Dr. Katlyn R. Plotzer received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a minor in Audiology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Doctoral degree in Audiology from East Tennessee State University. She completed her 4th year externship at Midwest Dizziness and Balance Institute where she further explored her passion of working with patients who experience dizziness. When she started at MDBI, she was thrilled to discover that not only were patients having extensive vestibular testing, but they were receiving therapy to help improve their dizziness and imbalance. Being able to connect with patients and help them achieve a better quality of life is her favorite part of working at MDBI. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Plotzer leads research being completed at this site, including data tracking for therapy, assisting in presenting data at conferences, and working with other sites to further research into vestibular therapy outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, crocheting, reading, and watching Cardinal’s baseball.

Jennifer R. Banovic, Au.D.

Audiologist

Dr. Jennifer R. Banovic received her Bachelor of Science in Communcation Disorders and Sciences from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and her Doctoral degree in Audiology from Illinois State University. Dr. Banovic completed her 4th year externship at Midwest Dizziness and Balance Institute, where she has continued her specialization in dizziness and balance disorders. Dr. Banovic enjoys helping patients find relief from debilitating dizziness and imbalance through MDBI’s extensive vestibular testing and treatment. When Dr. Banovic is not in the office, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, golfing, online shopping, and cheering on St. Louis sports.

Audiology Externs

Audiologist

Casey (Left)

Casey received her Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and received her Master of Audiology degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). She is currently completing her Doctorate of Audiology from UTHSC, and plans to graduate in May of 2024. She discovered her passion for vestibular audiology early on in her graduate career and hopes to further develop and hone her skills as a vestibular audiologist during her fourth year externship at MDBI. In her free time she can be found reading, playing trivia, watching her favorite sitcoms, exploring St. Louis, and cheering on the Tennessee Vols!

Anna Marie (Right):

Anna Marie is an AuD Extern from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She received her B.A. in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her passion for vestibular audiology started early in her graduate career when she started working at an ENT clinic in Lubbock, TX. She hopes to continue developing her skills as a vestibular audiologist during this next year. In her free time, she likes to watch her favorite TV show, Friends, ride horses, and play with her cat Milo.

Emily Schwegel

Office Manager

Emily Schwegel joined the MDBI team, as the office manager, in March of 2023. She has extensive experience in the administrative medical office setting. In her free time, Emily has her own photography business. She also likes to read, craft, go out with friends, attend Cardinals and Blues games, and spend as much time as she can with her family.