Diagnostic hearing services available in South Tahoe

By Rebecca Wass

South Lake Tahoe now has a diagnostic hearing service through Barton Health. Danielle Knowlton was recruited to offer testing and treatment for those who have potential and current hearing issues. In partnership with Ronald Roth of Barton Ear, Nose and Throat, audiologist, Knowlton brings more than 25 years of experience to Barton Audiology.

Together Roth and Knowlton have created a full-service E.N.T. and hearing center in South Lake Tahoe. While promoting healthy hearing, communication competency, Knowlton is assessing and improving quality of life for persons of all ages.

Brayden Blackwell, 6, has his hearing checked by Danielle Knowlton. Photo/Rebecca Wass

“I hope to bring greater awareness of hearing loss to the community, so those who have hearing difficulties or children at risk for hearing loss will reach out, seek evaluation and obtain help for themselves and/or their children,” Knowlton said.

The Better Hearing Institute reported in 2010 that three in 10 people older than 60 have hearing loss. At least 1.4 million children (18 or younger) have hearing problems and it is estimated that three in 1,000 infants are born with serious to profound hearing loss. Many others have lesser degrees of hearing loss that can impact their development.

“The critical language learning years for children are from birth to 3 years of age,” Knowlton said. “If a hearing loss is missed or diagnosed after this age, it can have a devastating impact on a child’s language, learning and emotional development. If we can help to provide earlier identification and intervention in this age group, we can make a huge difference in the lives of so many children.”

Knowlton provides education on prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing, auditory function and other related systems. She graduated from Holy Names College in Oakland, where she received a bachelor of arts degree, cum laude in speech correction and has a Master’s Degree in Audiology from CSU Sacramento. She also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

“My area of expertise has been in the evaluation and testing of very young and challenging children,” she said. “I also have been involved in implantable hearing technology such as cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing systems in both the clinical setting and as a clinical specialist for a manufacturer.”

Her unique education and training enables her to assess and diagnose hearing loss, auditory disorders and counsel regarding intervention and options. Knowlton’s experience spans from a clinical director role at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, to a clinical applications specialist with Cochlear Americas in Centennial, Colo. She began her career at St. Luke’s Hearing and Speech Center in San Francisco where she served all age groups. Her broad experience has enabled her to bring the latest techniques and technology to the Lake Tahoe area and its surrounding communities.

“I look forward to my work here at Barton, and hope that I can make a difference.”

Rebecca Wass works for Barton Health in the public relations department.