My guest is Konstantina Stankovic, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology at Stanford School of Medicine. She explains how hearing works and why hearing loss—affecting over 1.5 billion people—impacts people of all ages. We discuss how hearing loss impairs focus and increases the risk of cognitive decline, as well as the role of menopause and other biological milestones in hearing health. We share science-backed protocols to protect your hearing and highlight risks to avoid. And we discuss tinnitus—its causes and treatment options.
Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/jT1A1kk
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*Dr. Konstantina Stankovic*
Stanford academic profile: https://profiles.stanford.edu/konstantina-stankovic
Stanford Health Care medical profile: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/s/konstantina-stankovic.html
Research lab: https://med.stanford.edu/stankovic-lab.html
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0_-hMy8AAAAJ
Stanford Head & Neck Surgery Department: https://med.stanford.edu/ohns.html
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/konstantina-stankovic-3a58891b3
*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Konstantina Stankovic
00:03:27 Hearing Loss, How Hearing Works, Types of Hearing Loss
00:10:58 Sound Waves, High vs Low Frequency, Communication, Importance of Hearing
00:15:26 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Our Place
00:18:40 Sound Projection, Intensity, Speech; Moving Ears; Larger Ears
00:22:59 Sounds & Emotionality; Tinnitus
00:26:43 Painful Sounds, Hyperacusis, Phonophobia; Memory, Auditory Hallucinations
00:32:19 Concerts & Ringing in Ears, Hidden Hearing Loss; Tool: Safe Sound Threshold
00:39:15 Concerts & Protecting Hearing, Tools: Ear Plugs, Magnesium Threonate
00:43:44 Magnesium Food Sources & Supplements; Migraines & Tinnitus
00:47:30 Tinnitus; Hearing Loss, Genetic & Environmental Factors
00:53:19 Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & David
00:56:04 Individualization; Tinnitus Examination & Treatment, Supplementation?
01:04:36 Headphones, Tough vs Tender Ears, Children, Tool: Safe Sound Levels
01:09:41 Compounded Damage, Concerts & Hearing Loss, Tool: Ear Plugs
01:12:59 Transitioning Environments, Hyperacusis; In-Utero Hearing
01:15:56 Dogs & Sea Animals, Sound Pollution
01:19:54 Hearing Loss, Dementia & Cognitive Decline; Tool: Slow Speech & Face Listener
01:26:26 Sponsor: Joovv
01:27:38 Lip Reading; AI-Enhanced Hearing Aids
01:30:12 Sleep, Tool: Earplugs; Hearing Yourself Speak, Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence
01:36:54 Hearing & Balance, Vibrations; Sound Therapy
01:42:05 Music, Dance, Hearing & Frequency Map; Cochlear Implants
01:48:20 Sponsor: LMNT
01:49:52 Hearing & Social-Cognitive Development, Mental Health; Cochlear Implants
01:56:07 Men vs Women, Estrogen; Hearing Loss, Environment, NSAIDs
02:01:52 Environmental Toxins, Heavy Metals, Plastics; Tool: Heating Plastic
02:06:39 Tool: Avoid Regular NSAIDs Use; Birds & Hair Cell Regeneration; Cancer
02:12:05 Head & Neck, Lymphatic System & Surgery
02:14:44 Adult Auditory Plasticity, Music & Language
02:17:37 Splitting of Senses, Podcasts, AI & Human Progress
02:22:20 Prevent Hearing Loss & Recap
02:25:09 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer