Hannibal Regional Medical Group is pleased to announce Linda Carleton, M.S., F-AAA, Clinical Audiologist, has joined their staff. Ms. Carleton holds a Master of Science degree in Audiology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. She is certified in Audiology by the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association. Her office is located on the third floor of the Hannibal Regional Medical Building.
Among seniors, hearing loss is the third most prevalent, but treatable, disabling condition behind arthritis and hypertension. With advancements in digital sound processing, audiologists are able to fit patients with the highest level of digital hearing aid technology available to help improve quality of life for those with hearing impairment.
“We are pleased to welcome a full-time audiologist to this organization,” stated Tim Polley, Director-Business Development of Hannibal Regional Medical Group. “Linda’s experience, background and credentialing complement the high-quality care we provide at Hannibal Regional Medical Group.”
Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems. They examine individuals of all ages and identify those with the symptoms of hearing loss and other auditory, balance, and related sensory and neural problems. They then assess the nature and extent of the problems and help the individuals manage them. Using audiometers, computers, and other testing devices, they measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to distinguish between sounds, and the impact of hearing loss on an individual's daily life. In addition, audiologists use computer equipment to evaluate and diagnose balance disorders. Audiologists interpret these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational, and psychological information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.
In today's industrial society, noise exposure poses an increasingly serious threat to individuals' hearing. It is difficult to quantify the number of Americans exposed to hazardous noise levels during nonoccupational activities. Examples of such activities include shooting, auto races, woodworking, power tool use, listening to amplified music, and so forth. Audiologists assume a leadership role in industry in the development and implementation of occupational hearing conservation programs with components such as noise exposure assessment, personal hearing protection and audiometric testing.
For more information on audiology services, call 573-629-3500.