Why You Can't Hear - Even when Your Hearing Test is "Normal" | Dr. Layne Garrett
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Release Date: 10/13/2025
The Truth About Medications For Tinnitus
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Many people are prescribed medications when tinnitus becomes overwhelming, but very few understand what those medications actually do—or don’t do. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett explains why no FDA-approved drug currently exists for tinnitus and breaks down the most common prescriptions patients receive, including antidepressants, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and steroids. You’ll learn why these medications rarely reduce tinnitus loudness, how they may still help with anxiety, sleep, or distress, and why some drugs carry important safety considerations. Dr. Garrett also...
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It’s Not You - The Real Reason Hearing Aids Don’t Work
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Still struggling to hear conversations in noisy places—even after investing in “premium” hearing aids? You’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. In this episode of All Ears: The Hearing & Tinnitus Podcast, Dr. Layne Garrett, audiologist at Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus in American Fork, Utah, exposes the most common reason hearing aids fail—and the one simple step that can make all the difference. It’s called Real Ear Measurement (REM), and it’s the gold standard for hearing aid fittings recommended by every major audiology organization. Shockingly, fewer than one in...
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The Gut-Brain-Ear Axis: How Gut Health Could Hold the Key to Tinnitus Relief
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
What if the ringing in your ears isn’t just coming from your ears? In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down the groundbreaking science behind the gut-brain-ear axis—a new way of understanding tinnitus that connects your digestive system, your brain, and your auditory pathways. For years, tinnitus has been treated as a purely ear-based condition. But recent studies suggest the story may be far more complex. Emerging research into the gut microbiome shows that certain bacteria may influence inflammation, neurotransmitter production, and even how the brain processes sound. Dr. Garrett...
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Do Binaural Beats Cure Tinnitus???
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Binaural beats are everywhere online, especially in communities searching for tinnitus relief. You’ll see videos promising “miracle cures,” audio packs claiming to “retrain your brain,” and testimonials that sound almost too good to be true. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down what binaural beats actually are, how they affect the brain, and why the science doesn’t support the claims you’ve probably seen on YouTube or social media. We explore what recent studies *do* show — including small trials suggesting short-term reductions in distress — while also...
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Before You Take Magnesium for Hearing Loss Listen To This!
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Magnesium is one of the most talked-about supplements in the hearing-loss world, but the claims you see online rarely match what the research actually shows. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down the real science behind magnesium’s role in hearing health—what it helps with, where it falls short, and why timing matters far more than most people realize. You’ll learn why magnesium can protect the inner ear during noise exposure, how military research uncovered its benefits, and why it can support treatment for sudden hearing loss when used within the right medical window....
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Before You Try CBD for Tinnitus… Listen to This
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
CBD has become one of the most talked-about “solutions” for tinnitus—but the reality is far more complicated than the online hype suggests. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett, a tinnitus specialist with more than two decades of experience, breaks down what CBD can and cannot do for people living with tinnitus. You’ll learn why CBD exploded in popularity, what the research actually shows, and why some people feel better even though CBD doesn’t reduce the sound itself. We explore the critical difference between *tinnitus volume* and *tinnitus reaction*, how stress and anxiety...
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How to Finally Sleep Better With Tinnitus
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Tinnitus can feel ten times louder at night, especially when the world goes quiet and your brain locks onto the only sound left—the ringing. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett walks through practical, evidence-informed strategies that help people finally get the rest they’ve been missing. You’ll learn why silence magnifies tinnitus, how the stress response fuels sleepless nights, and what you can do to break that cycle using sound therapy, foundational sleep hygiene, and calming techniques that support your nervous system. Dr. Garrett has spent more than two decades helping patients with...
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What Makes a Hearing Aid Truly Great
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Modern hearing aids can look similar on the surface, but the technology inside them varies dramatically. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down the three core pillars that define a truly exceptional hearing aid: the Brain, the Body, and the Bridge. You’ll learn how today’s AI-driven sound processing improves speech clarity, reduces auditory load, and supports better communication in noisy environments. We also explore why comfort, durability, and Real-Ear Measurements (REM) are essential for achieving accurate amplification tailored to your hearing loss. Dr. Garrett explains...
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The Hormone–Tinnitus Connection: How Menopause Can Change What You Hear
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Can menopause really cause ringing in your ears? In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett explains the surprising connection between hormonal changes and tinnitus — and what you can actually do to calm it down. Many women expect hot flashes and sleep changes during menopause, but not constant ringing or buzzing in their ears. Yet research now shows that estrogen affects more than just your reproductive system — it also influences how your brain processes sound. When hormone levels fluctuate, the auditory system can become hypersensitive, and that’s where tinnitus begins. Dr. Garrett breaks...
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When is the BEST Time To Buy Hearing Aids?
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Most people delay treating hearing loss for 7–10 years, assuming they should wait for the perfect discount or a special promotion. But hearing loss is a health condition, not a retail purchase, and waiting has real consequences for communication, brain function, relationships, and long-term well-being. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett, audiologist and founder of Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus, explains the five clinical signs that signal the right time to treat hearing loss is now. You’ll learn how social withdrawal begins, why conversations feel mentally exhausting, how relationships...
info_outlineDo you hear fine in quiet rooms but struggle the moment you step into a restaurant, church, or family gathering—even though your hearing test looks “normal”?
You are not imagining it. This is a real condition called Hidden Hearing Loss, and it affects thousands of people in Utah County and beyond.
I’m Dr. Layne Garrett, audiologist and founder of Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus in American Fork, Utah. For over 20 years, I’ve helped patients across Spanish Fork, American Fork, and the surrounding communities uncover the real reason behind their listening struggles and find solutions that work.
In this episode of The All Ears Podcast, we’ll cover:
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What hidden hearing loss is and why standard hearing tests miss it
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The science of synapse damage and why it disrupts clarity in noise
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Specialized tests (like Speech-in-Noise & OAEs) that reveal hidden problems
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How advanced hearing technology, auditory training, and communication strategies can help
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How programs like LACE Auditory Training retrain your “hearing brain”
📖 Plus: I’ll share how you can download a free copy of my book, Hear Us Out, which dives deeper into hidden hearing loss and treatment options.
📍 Based in Utah County, we serve patients in American Fork, Spanish Fork, and across Utah.
🌐 Learn more: utahhearingaids.com
📘 Get your free copy of Hear Us Out: freehearingbook.com
👉 Have you ever been told your hearing is “normal,” yet you still struggle to understand conversations? Share your story—it may help someone else feel less alone.
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❓ FAQs
What is hidden hearing loss?
Hidden hearing loss is a condition where your standard hearing test looks normal, but you still struggle to hear clearly in noisy environments. It happens when the nerve connections between the ear and brain are damaged.
Why doesn’t a normal hearing test show hidden hearing loss?
Standard tests measure the softest sounds you can detect in a quiet room. They don’t measure how clearly your brain processes speech in noise. That’s why patients often feel dismissed.
How is hidden hearing loss diagnosed?
Specialized tests like Speech-in-Noise (QuickSIN) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) can uncover problems that a standard audiogram misses.
Can hearing aids help hidden hearing loss?
Yes. Even with a normal audiogram, modern hearing aids with directional microphones, AI noise reduction, and advanced processing can dramatically improve clarity in noise.
What is auditory training?
Auditory training programs (like LACE) are like physical therapy for your brain’s listening system. They help strengthen the brain’s ability to focus on speech and filter out background noise.
Where can I get help in Utah?
At Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus in American Fork and Spanish Fork, we've won Best of State in Auditory Services 14 times, Best Audiology Clinic in Utah Valley Magazine and the Daily Herald. by specializing in advanced hearing testing and treatment for hidden hearing loss, serving patients across Utah County.