Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, & Hyperacusis: Treat Your Hearing, Protect Your Brain with Dr. Keith Darrow | E55

Send us Fan MailA “mild” hearing loss sounds harmless until you hear the data: it can raise the risk of cognitive decline and dementia by 200%. I sit down with Dr. Keith Darrow PhD, CCC-A, neuroscientist and clinical audiologist, to connect the dots between hearing loss and brain health and to explain why treating hearing loss shows up again and again as a top modifiable dementia risk factor in major research reviews.We also get practical about what good care actually looks like. Dr. Darrow breaks down why so many people struggle with speech in background noise, why basic beep-only tests can miss real problems, and how prescription-grade hearing aids differ from over-the-counter devices when you care about outcomes like cognitive performance, fall risk, and tinnitus relief. If you or a loved one has ever seemed “withdrawn” or “down,” we talk through how hearing loss can mimic depression and early cognitive decline and why a thorough evaluation can clarify what’s really going on.If you’re navigating concussion recovery or traumatic brain injury, this conversation gets even more relevant. We cover extended high-frequency hearing loss after TBI, tinnitus as a neurologic “phantom sound,” anxiety and sleep disruption, and hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) plus how gradual sound exposure can rebuild tolerance. We also touch on emerging tinnitus research, including where transcranial magnetic stimulation stands today.If this helped you, subscribe for more evidence-based concussion and brain health conversations, share it with someone who keeps saying “I hear fine,” and leave a review so more people can find the show. Dr. Keith Darrow's Resources and Links:https://mytinnitusnumber.org/https://excellenceinaudiology.org/Free Book: Preventing DeclineFree Book: Silenced. The Medical Treatment of TinnitusDr. Darrow's YouTube ChannelDr. Darrow LinkedIn Save $30 on Brain Ritual - A daily brain energy-support drink like none other. https://www.brainritual.com/AYLA94359Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is now available on Amazon!Follow us on YouTube & Instagram @lifeafterimpactWebsite: lifeafterimpact.comMedical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.