All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

Why a "Normal" Hearing Test Can Miss Why You Struggle To Understand

Many people are told their hearing test is "normal," yet they still struggle to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett explains why that experience is more common than most patients realize. The traditional audiogram measures the quietest sounds you can hear in a silent room, but real-world listening is far more complex. Dr. Garrett walks through the science behind hidden hearing loss, outer hair cell damage, and why speech clarity problems often appear long before a standard hearing test detects a change. You'll also learn what a complete hearing evaluation should actually include, including tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), speech-in-noise testing, and extended high-frequency audiometry. These tools help clinicians detect subtle cochlear damage earlier and better understand why some patients struggle even when their audiogram appears normal. Dr. Garrett has spent more than two decades working with complex hearing loss and tinnitus cases. His clinic focuses on evidence-based care, including advanced diagnostics and REM-verified hearing aid fittings, to give patients clearer answers about what is happening in their auditory system. If you want to learn more about hearing loss and tinnitus, visit the Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus Learning Center [https://utahhearingaids.com/learning-center] If you are in Northern Utah you can schedule an appointment here [https://utahhearingaids.com/request-your-free-consultation/].

Phonak Lyric Review: Invisible, 24/7 — But Not for Everyone

The Phonak Lyric is the only truly invisible, extended-wear hearing aid on the market — placed deep in the ear canal and worn 24/7 for months at a time. But is it actually better? In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down what makes Lyric unique, including its deep canal placement, analog processing, and continuous auditory stimulation — a feature that can be especially helpful for patients with tinnitus who struggle at night. He also explains where Lyric falls short, particularly in demanding noise environments where modern AI-driven digital hearing aids may provide better speech clarity and SNR optimization. You'll learn who qualifies for Lyric candidacy, why ear anatomy matters, and how lifestyle factors influence outcomes. This episode also explores the subscription model, reliability considerations, and how Lyric compares to premium digital options. Dr. Garrett brings over two decades of experience specializing in tinnitus and complex hearing loss, using evidence-based tools including TRT, CBT, PTM, bimodal neuromodulation, and REM-verified hearing aid fittings. His medical-model approach focuses on matching technology to physiology — not marketing. To explore more educational resources, visit our Online Learning Center [https://utahhearingaids.com/learning-center]. Read my breakdown of the Phonak Lyric here [https://utahhearingaids.com/phonak-lyric-review-pros-cons-candidacy/]. If you're in Northern Utah and want a comprehensive evaluation, schedule at: utahhearingaids.com [https://utahhearingaids.com/]

Why Tinnitus Sometimes Spikes After a Nap

Many people with tinnitus notice something strange. They take a nap, wake up, and suddenly the ringing is louder. For years this pattern puzzled both patients and clinicians. Now, new research is beginning to explain why tinnitus can spike after sleep. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down the emerging science behind nap related tinnitus spikes. Recent studies analyzing thousands of tinnitus patients show that about one third experience changes in their tinnitus after napping, and most report it getting worse rather than better. Sleep lab research is revealing several possible explanations including sleep disordered breathing, hyperactivity in the auditory cortex during sleep, and disruptions in REM sleep that leave the nervous system more reactive. Dr. Garrett explains what these mechanisms mean for patients, how sleep apnea can influence tinnitus, and why the transition between sleep and wakefulness can temporarily amplify tinnitus perception. He also shares practical strategies that may help reduce post nap tinnitus spikes, including nap length adjustments, sound enrichment during sleep, and evaluating sleep health as part of tinnitus care. Read more about Tinnitus and Naps here [https://utahhearingaids.com/napping-with-tinnitus-worse-after-sleep/]. If you'd like to explore more resources about hearing loss and tinnitus, visit our online learning center. [https://utahhearingaids.com/learning-center]https://utahhearingaids.com/learning-centerAnd if you're in Northern Utah and want support from our team, you can schedule an appointment anytime at: utahhearingaids.com [https://utahhearingaids.com/]

How to Adjust to Hearing Aids Faster

Getting hearing aids should feel like a breakthrough — but for many new users, the first few days feel strange, loud, and even discouraging. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett explains why that reaction is not only common, but expected. When hearing loss develops, the brain adapts by recalibrating how it processes sound. When hearing aids restore that missing input, the auditory system has to adapt again. This process — when managed correctly — leads to measurable improvements in speech clarity, background noise tolerance, and long-term listening comfort. Dr. Garrett walks through the structured acclimatization protocol used in modern fittings, why real ear measurement (REM) verification is essential for precision, how consistent wear time improves speech-in-noise outcomes, and why aural rehabilitation programs like LACE accelerate neuroplastic change. This episode reframes hearing aids not as a one-time transaction, but as a collaborative medical process grounded in neuroscience and outcome tracking. You can learn more here [https://utahhearingaids.com/?p=8852]. If you'd like to explore more resources about hearing loss and tinnitus, visit our online learning center. [https://utahhearingaids.com/learning-center] And if you're in Northern Utah and want support from our team, you can schedule an appointment anytime at: utahhearingaids.com [https://utahhearingaids.com/]

Why Most Tinnitus Advice Is Wrong

Tinnitus is one of the most misunderstood conditions in hearing healthcare. Many patients are told that nothing can be done, that the ringing is purely an ear problem, or that supplements and internet "quick fixes" might help. Unfortunately, much of this advice is outdated or incomplete. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down five of the most common tinnitus myths that keep people from getting meaningful relief. Drawing from over two decades of clinical experience and modern neuroscience research, he explains why tinnitus is often a brain-based condition, how hidden hearing loss can play a role, and why silence can sometimes make symptoms worse. The discussion also explores what evidence-based tinnitus management actually looks like today. This may include hearing aids, structured sound therapy, cognitive behavioral strategies, and newer approaches such as bimodal neuromodulation. Most importantly, effective tinnitus care typically involves a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan rather than a single quick fix. Dr. Garrett is an audiologist specializing in tinnitus and complex hearing loss and has spent more than 20 years helping patients understand and manage these conditions. You can learn more here [https://utahhearingaids.com/tinnitus-myths-clinicians-believe/]. If you'd like to explore more resources about hearing loss and tinnitus, visit our online learning center [https://utahhearingaids.com/learning-center]. And if you're in Northern Utah and want support from our team, you can schedule an appointment anytime at: utahhearingaids.com [https://utahhearingaids.com/]