Meet the
BLUEMOTH team
Dr. Melanie K. Hecker
Audiologist, Founder, CEO
Hi! I’m Mel!
I love people, hearing, technology and connection!
I’ve been an Audiologist for 13 years and have seen the hearing healthcare world from many perspectives. I love what I do, and I love reconnecting people to their worlds through better hearing.
I started off in grad school as a research assistant, being an “ear nerd” (term of endearment) studying the newest technologies and fitting strategies. I have worked in ENT, medical settings, educational audiology, private practice and for a hearing aid manufacturer. With that time, I’ve seen what I love about hearing healthcare… and, I’ve seen big voids in the consumer experience.
The biggest challenges I’ve witnessed are in the areas of accessibility, affordability and shattering the stigma around hearing loss and hearing technology. These core challenges fueled me in creating a different path for consumers engaging in hearing healthcare.
When new legislation allowed OTC devices to enter the market, I was excited to see hearing healthcare expand it’s reach. Patients had two paths: OTC options that provide an equivalent to reader/cheater glasses, or a traditional clinic model for prescription hearing aids.
I saw a huge void for consumers in the middle. What about those who need prescription help, but didn’t want to engage with the traditional clinic model? What about those that want to be actively engaged in their own healthcare? What about empowerment through choices and options? What about the skeptics and those who distrust doctors and whitecoats?
That’s why I created BLUEMOTH. I wanted a place where consumers led the journey for their own hearing wellness, not a “doctor knows best model”. I wanted there to be Audiologic oversight, so that consumers would have the best in quality hearing healthcare, but in a way that was fun and convenient.
Mostly – I love the freedom and transparency that comes from choice! I don’t like the amount of confusion and misinformation that is out there, and I really don’t like the awkward power dynamics of a patient being told what’s best for them.
With BLUEMOTH, we take the information you provide us, along with your hearing test results and we send you three sets of premium prescription technology to test drive in your own life – so YOU can determine the benefits and which you prefer. That’s radically new and different. And, I feel passionately that it’s needed – it’s what consumers deserve.
I want hearing to be a sense of pride and empowerment, not a sense that brings about shame and hiding.
It’s time to live out loud!
– Dr. Melanie K. Hecker
Macky Venida
Executive Assistant
Macky Venida is BLUEMOTH Hearing's dedicated Executive Assistant from Manila. Guided by his life verse, Colossians 3:23, Macky approaches his work with heartfelt dedication, always striving to give his best in every task. He deeply values the opportunity to be part of the BLUEMOTH team, contributing to the company’s mission with gratitude and enthusiasm. Macky’s commitment to excellence reflects his deep appreciation for the meaningful work that BLUEMOTH Hearing does in the community.
Arjun Hara
Director of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships
Arjun is our Director of Marketing & Partnerships! He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration, focusing on sales, entrepreneurship, and finance. In his free time, Arjun loves hiking, traveling, and live music.
Nina M. Holmstrom
Executive Assistant
Nina has spent her career helping small business owners grow their startup companies into thriving and successful organizations since early 2000. Her background includes a wide array of administrative and financial expertise in bookkeeping, accounting, as CFO, and also Executive Assistant to several Seattle-based CEO's and Executive Directors. Nina's passion for helping others, continuous commitment to excellence and growth, and providing the highest level of support to her team are her core values and foundation for success. In her words, "I am absolutely thrilled to be directly supporting our founder and visionary, Melanie K. Hecker and to be part of the incredible team at BLUEMOTH Hearing. Together, we are creating an amazing future as we bring the latest technology of hearing devices combined with a dynamic team structured to support the varying needs of each and every customer.
Ella Ekstrom
Sales Manager
Ella is our sales manager! She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration, focusing on sales and entrepreneurship. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, skiing, camping and seeing her family.
Kayte Maza
Content Creator
Kayte Maza has worked in just about every aspect of Audiology and appreciates the field for being an art and a science. She found her passion in the art of the profession and joined BLUEMOTH as a content creator. She chose a career with BLUEMOTH because she fervently believes in coloring outside the lines. BLUEMOTH is the exception in audiology, innovatively bringing the profession and client experience to contemporary expectations of advanced hearing healthcare. For her, it is more than a career, it is a commitment to the idea that hearing care should be easy, accessible, and a little rebellious.
Sienna Herrera
Social Media Manager
An adventurer at heart, I love traveling with my husband, creating unique social media content that fuels both my personal and professional life. With three dogs by my side, family time is my greatest joy.
I want hearing to be a sense of pride and empowerment, not a sense that brings about shame and hiding.