Dr. Todd Gibson was born and raised in New England and attended undergraduate and graduate school through the state university system in Connecticut. “As a child, I was always outdoors and loved to do anything that didn’t require being inside the house,” he recalls. His dream was to become a Public Relations writer; he originally graduated with a marketing and journalism degree in 1989. “We were in the throes of a recession at that time,” he recalls, “and finding an entry-level position was next to impossible.” At that point, he reevaluated which career path he truly felt aligned with and what types of services he wanted to offer; he decided that helping people was his true calling.
After researching various careers that appealed to him, he discovered Audiology, a blend of science and art that entailed helping others. He determined that if he could help the disadvantaged, he would be able to help all others who came his way. It was during this time that he began working in group homes and ended up using this path as a means to learn firsthand about people with disabilities. All told, he did this for eight years, which also served to help him afford tuition and living expenses.
Dr. Gibson’s fellowship year was at the University of Rochester in upstate New York. It was challenging but provided him with a wide exposure to the field, including diagnostics, hearing aid services, aural rehabilitation, pediatrics, research, and working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit evaluating newborns. It was here that he gained valuable experience that furthered his skills as an audiologist as he collaborated with many other professionals from various medical fields. The Leadership in Disabilities program at the University was a prime example of one of the many opportunities that would help shape his ability to work with others. While working there, he completed his Doctorate of Audiology through the University of Florida and graduated in
2000 as one of the first classes in their new program.
Over twenty years ago, Dr. Gibson decided to move closer to relatives in Aiken. He secured a position at Greenwood ENT, and found himself in the Lexington area, where “I loved the community here and felt welcomed, comfortable, and at home,” he remarks with a smile. “It has been such a great place to raise my two boys and thrive.” Needless to say, he settled in the Lexington/Irmo area and found great joy in serving patients. In 2007, he assumed ownership of Lake Murray Hearing and focused on creating a strong foundation, implementing a solid business plan, identifying the needs of his patients, and prioritizing customer satisfaction.
When Our Town Magazine inquired as to what advice Dr. Gibson could offer to young professionals, he explains his approach: “Love what you do and do what you love. I am sure we have all heard this phrase. It is truly a gift to have staff who all enjoy serving our community and helping those with hearing loss and tinnitus issues. Every day we see patients of all ages and help them with their hearing needs. There is never a dull moment at our office, and the goal is to help patients manage their hearing and communication issues. Whether it is removing wax or blockage from the ears, improving the ability of others to hear their loved ones, or just providing strategies and solutions for those who are struggling to hear or have balance problems, we are here for the residents of Lexington and surrounding communities. We take the time to listen to our patients and provide a comprehensive plan to help them improve their lives. In addition, we use the best practices in our field to provide the latest technology and techniques to achieve this end.”
In 2024, South Carolina was the fourth fastest growing state in the country. Lexington is certainly a vital part of this growth of population. Dr. Gibson and his practice have seen a large influx of people moving to South Carolina from other states over the last several years. In addition, there has been a proliferation of over the counter (OTC) devices since the federal law was passed allowing sales in 2022. Although this law has been passed, Dr. Gibson believes that hearing loss does not have a one-size-fits-all treatment. “Whether it is previously fitted devices or those who have tried OTC devices unsuccessfully, we provide comfortable hearing solutions, benefit in quiet, and even help in background noise. Yet, the most important service we provide is routine follow-up to include earwax removal, appropriate adjustments, verification of device function/benefit, and necessary counseling.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Lake Murray Hearing has also seen a large increase in tinnitus cases (ringing in the ears). As Dr. Gibson is specifically trained in this area, he has also expanded his services to help others suffering from this condition. “Most of the devices we offer and fit are rechargeable and bluetooth-enabled to connect to cell phones and other devices. The majority of those with hearing deficits can be fitted appropriate- ly, providing the benefit that patients are seeking for hearing loss, speech clarity, and even tinnitus reduction.” For those with severe hearing loss or greater, with diminished speech clarity, a cochlear implant may be recommended. Essentially, these devices require minor surgery with programming and rehabilitative training. In this type of situation the inner ear is being bypassed, and the hearing nerve is directly stimulated. This option can be especially helpful when hearing aids are no longer beneficial.
Lake Murray Hearing has been a part of the Lexington community for over 25 years and is dedicated to delivering quality services and guarantees customer satisfaction. The steadily growing practice has been directly involved with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and many local charitable organizations that provide hearing resources. Dr. Gibson has enjoyed working with local high school students pursuing a career in Audiology and has trained Doctoral students from area universities. He has helped countless individuals who need assistance through Vocational Rehab and other state-based programs that help children with hearing loss.
Dr. Gibson lives in Lexington with his sweetheart, Anne. They have a blended family of five children, 2 dogs, and two cats. They are active in the community and can often be seen at the many events in the area.
Lake Murray Hearing 150 Whiteford Way Lexington, SC 29072
LakeMurrayHearing.com 803-470-2621
