Earvangelism

How does your brain turn a chaotic overlap of sound into a world that makes sense?

In this episode, we explore polyphonic perception, the remarkable ability of the auditory brain to track multiple sound streams at once. We get into how your brain groups sounds, maps them in space, and never quite switches off, even when you think you're not listening.

What if hearing could be restored… by printing new ear bones?

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of Dr. Mashudu Tshifularo, who pioneered 3D-printed titanium middle ear bones to restore hearing, reshaping what’s possible in audiology and ENT surgery.

AI-generated podcasts are getting harder to detect, but your brain still picks up subtle clues.

In this episode, we explore how the brain’s Temporal Voice Area recognises human voices, how AI recreates them using sound decomposition, and why some episodes sound like real humans… yet still feel off.

He said he couldn’t hear...the hearing test said otherwise.

In this episode, a real patient case reveals what happens when hearing results don’t match human physiology, and why audiology sometimes requires a bit of detective work. 🕵️‍♀️

Why does birdsong feel like everything is right with the world and low, bass tones signal danger?

This episode explores the emotional power of pitch, how it shapes our perception, and what it means for those who can no longer hear the high-frequency sounds that bring lightness and joy.

Did you know your brain doesn’t just hear sound but creates it? In this episode, we dive into binaural beats: a fascinating auditory phenomenon that sits at the intersection of perception, brainwaves, and behaviour. Real effect or overstated claim?

Hearing aids have always amplified sound but what if they could decide what you hear?
This episode explores why background noise is such a challenge, and how AI is beginning to change the game by helping hearing aids “choose” what matters.

Pregnancy changes many parts of the body, but few people realize it can affect the ears too.

From blocked ears and tinnitus to dizziness and temporary hearing changes, hormonal shifts during pregnancy can influence the delicate fluid systems that control hearing and balance.

In this episode of Earvangelism, Priscilla explores why these symptoms occur, how common they are, and why most of them resolve after delivery, revealing yet another way the ear is deeply connected to the rest of the body.

Ear seeds are tiny seeds placed on specific points of the ear and used as a form of gentle acupressure. People use them for everything from stress and sleep to pain and migraines.

But how could something placed on the ear influence the rest of the body? In this episode of Earvangelism, Priscilla explores the origins of ear seeds in auricular acupuncture, the idea of the ear as a “microsystem” of the body, and the fascinating nerve connections that link the ear to the brain and autonomic nervous system.

Whether ear seeds work for everyone is still an open question, but they highlight this: that the ear is far more connected to the rest of the body than most people realise.

Many people living with chronic migraines try everything from medication to lifestyle changes in search of relief. One surprising option that has gained attention is the daith piercing, a cartilage piercing deep inside the ear that some claim dramatically reduces migraine frequency.

In this episode of Earvangelism, I explore where this idea comes from, including its roots in auricular acupuncture and the ear’s connection to the vagus nerve, a key regulator of pain and autonomic function. I share real comments from people who swear by the piercing, alongside others who report no change.

Is it a pressure point effect, vagus nerve stimulation, placebo, or something else entirely? While large clinical trials are still lacking, the biological plausibility and growing number of reports make this an intriguing topic worth exploring.

If you’ve had a daith piercing for migraines, whether it helped or not, this episode invites you into the conversation.