Why You Can't Hear - Even when Your Hearing Test is "Normal" | Dr. Layne Garrett

Release Date: 10/13/2025

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...

Are Budget Hearing Aids A Waste of Money?

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

In today’s episode, we explore one of the most common questions I hear in clinical practice: why do hearing aids range from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand? And, more importantly, what do these price differences actually mean for real-world communication and hearing clarity? Many people assume all hearing aids work the same and that choosing the cheapest option is the safest place to start. But as evidence suggests, the success of any device depends far more on accurate fitting and verification than on the brand or price tag. We begin by comparing OTC hearing aids with...

Does Ginkgo Biloba Help Tinnitus? What the Research Actually Shows

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

In today’s episode, Dr. Layne Garrett takes a clear, evidence-based look at one of the most commonly suggested tinnitus supplements: Ginkgo Biloba. If you’ve ever searched online for natural tinnitus relief, you’ve probably seen Ginkgo mentioned again and again. The idea sounds appealing — something simple, over-the-counter, and “natural” that might settle the ringing. But what does the science actually say? We start by grounding the discussion in what tinnitus is. It isn’t a disease itself, but a symptom — often connected to hearing loss, noise exposure, or changes...

When Hearing Loss Divides You — How It Impacts Both Partners and What You Can Do

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

When hearing loss enters a relationship, both people feel it. One partner struggles to hear. The other repeats, rephrases, and slowly loses patience. Over time, the conversations shrink, the laughter fades, and both partners begin to feel alone. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett, board-certified Doctor of Audiology, explores how hearing loss in relationshipsquietly affects communication, mental health, and emotional connection. Drawing on research about third-party disability, he explains why the hearing partner often feels more exhausted than the one who can’t hear. You’ll also hear...

Why Tinnitus Feels Louder in Noise: What Your Hearing Test Doesn’t Show

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

When NOT to Buy Hearing Aids: An Audiologist’s Honest Take on Hearing Loss and Motivation

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

When should you not buy hearing aids? It’s not the kind of question you expect from an audiologist—but that’s exactly why it matters. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett shares three real patient stories that reveal when saying no to hearing aids is the best hearing care decision. From medical red flags to motivation problems and unrealistic expectations, he explains why ethical hearing care starts with understanding, not sales. You’ll meet: Mark, whose sudden hearing loss was actually caused by a middle ear infection. Susan, a high-performing executive who thought a cheap hearing...

5 Signs of a True Tinnitus Specialty Clinic

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

Have you ever been told a hearing aid will “solve” your tinnitus—only to find the ringing is still there? If so, you’re not alone. I’m Dr. Layne Garrett, audiologist and founder of **Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus in American Fork, Utah.** For over 20 years, I’ve worked with patients across **Spanish Fork, Lehi, Provo, and Utah County** who were frustrated after being offered quick fixes instead of real solutions. The truth is simple: tinnitus isn’t just an ear problem—it’s a brain and nervous system problem. That’s why many people who buy hearing aids still struggle...

Starkey Omega AI First Look: Game-Changer or Marketing Hype?

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

Starkey is calling their new Omega AI a "healthable"—promising not just better hearing, but comprehensive health tracking with respiratory monitoring, fall detection, and 51-hour battery life. But as an audiologist who's seen countless "revolutionary" launches, I wanted to cut through the marketing and give you the real story. In this first look, I break down what's genuinely new about the Omega AI, what's just repackaged from previous models, and whether the technology actually solves the problems my patients complain about most. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 📥 Download FREE...

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Hearing Loss: What the Latest Evidence Shows

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

Sudden hearing loss can feel like the world goes quiet overnight. Many people search for answers and quickly come across hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)—a treatment that promises to restore hearing by flooding the body with pure oxygen under pressure. But does it really work? In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett breaks down the facts, the data, and the controversy around HBOT for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). You’ll learn why this type of hearing loss is a medical emergency, how oxygen affects the delicate inner-ear structures, and what the newest 2025 research reveals about...

Can Hearing Aids Make Tinnitus Worse? The Truth About Relief, Risks, and Real Results.

All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast

If you’ve ever wondered whether hearing aids could actually make your tinnitus worse, this episode is for you. Audiologist Dr. Layne Garrett dives into one of the most common fears people have when they first consider hearing aids for tinnitus—and explains why the reality is far more reassuring than the myth. In this clear, compassionate breakdown, Dr. Garrett shares the real science and clinical experience behind tinnitus relief through properly fitted hearing aids. He tells the story of Sam, a retired pilot who came in convinced his hearing aids were making things worse, and how a few...

More Episodes

Do 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:

What hidden hearing loss is and why standard hearing tests miss it
The science of synapse damage and why it disrupts clarity in noise
Specialized tests (like Speech-in-Noise & OAEs) that reveal hidden problems
How advanced hearing technology, auditory training, and communication strategies can help
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.

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