PHC Audiologist: Danielle Barton, Au.D.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up outside of St. Louis, Missouri.

Where did you go to school?

I graduated from Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, MO in 2007 and headed to Truman State University where I obtained a double major in Communication Disorders & Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies. For my graduate studies, I attended Northwestern University in Chicago where I completed my Doctorate degree in Audiology in 2015. I completed my residency at Ear Care & Skull Base Surgery in Chesterfield, MO before moving to Kansas City to begin my career here at Professional Hearing Center

Why did you want to become an Audiologist?

When I started my undergraduate studies, I knew that I wanted to work in healthcare, as I enjoyed biology & anatomy, but wanted a field in which I could utilize my interest in psychology and counselling as well. A friend of mine was on track to become an Audiologist, and she thought it fit my interests well. She suggested I take an intro course, and I fell in love! Not many people truly find joy in what they do, I feel so grateful to have found a field that I enjoy so much!

What is your favorite area of audiology? I’m all over the board here! I enjoy diagnostics as well as hearing aids. I love being able to work with a patient to figure out what communication challenges they are currently facing and ways in which we can help them regain some confidence in communication with their friends and loved ones. I have a certificate in tinnitus management and enjoy helping patients manage their tinnitus, as I too have tinnitus in my ears and can relate.

At what office(s) do you work? I am most often at the Lakewood or Lee’s Summit Medical Center offices. On occasion I can also be found at Western Missouri Medical Center, Cass Regional Medical Center, or our Belton location.

Now some fun questions! What’s your favorite television show? I have seen every single episode of Friends… at least five times, likely same with How I Met Your Mother. Favorite current show… I’m a nerd who watches Jeopardy & Wheel of Fortune regularly, and basically anything that comes on HGTV.

If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be?

Oh goodness, I was a huge fan of bell bottoms the first time they came back around in the 90s/early 2000s… I love that thick scrunchies are back, and the convenience of tying your sweatshirt around your waist for later was my jam!

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

My favorite place on earth is Cinque Terre, Italy. In college, I went backpacking through Europe with my best friends, and it was by far my favorite stop. It’s five little villages connected by a hiking trail and a railway. They had amazing views, wonderful food, and just overall a slower and more chill vibe. I hope to take my husband there someday.