When Hearing Loss Divides You — How It Impacts Both Partners and What You Can Do
All Ears Hearing and Tinnitus Podcast
Release Date: 12/19/2025
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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_outlineWhen 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 about communication fatigue — the constant mental effort required to fill in missing words, guess context, and carry the weight of two conversations at once. Dr. Garrett shares practical insights from real couples and explains how these patterns create emotional distance if left untreated.
But there’s hope. Modern hearing aids are nothing like the bulky, squealing devices of decades past. Today’s hearing technology is discreet, often AI-powered, and built to reconnect couples in ways that go far beyond sound quality. When one partner begins hearing clearly again, connection and calm often follow.
Whether you’re the one struggling to hear or the one feeling unheard, this episode will help you see hearing loss not as an annoyance but as a solvable, shared challenge.
Listen to learn:
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Why untreated hearing loss affects both partners, not just one
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The emotional and cognitive signs of communication fatigue
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How modern hearing care restores connection and reduces resentment
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A simple, honest way to start the conversation without conflict
Take the next step:
Visit utahhearingaids.com to schedule an appointment or explore free educational resources in the Learning Center at utahhearingaids.com/learning-center
Because better hearing doesn’t just restore sound — it restores relationships.