Earvangelism

In this Earvangelism episode, we dive into one of the most fascinating intersections in auditory science: how the sounds we hear — especially spoken words — trigger powerful hormonal responses in the brain and body.

We break down how hearing is not just a mechanical process but a deeply emotional and neurochemical experience, influencing everything from bonding and calm to motivation, stress and behaviour. From dopamine to oxytocin, cortisol to endorphins, this episode gives a mini highlight of each of these and how the meaning you make of what you hear affects them.

Finally, we wrap up with a powerful message:
Every sound you produce is shaping someone’s neurochemistry. So what experience do you want your words to create?

In this personal episode of Earvangelism, I sit down with my mum to talk through her sudden sensorineural hearing loss in 2018 — an event that reshaped her understanding of her ears, and her balance.
She shares the confusion of those early hours, the surprisingly critical role of her vestibular system, and the emotional impact of losing hearing without warning. We also explore why she couldn’t receive the standard corticosteroid injection due to dangerously high pressure behind her eye — a risk many patients and clinicians aren’t aware of.
This episode blends lived experience with clinical insight, offering a powerful look at what sudden hearing loss feels like from the inside, and what we can all learn from her journey.

Tune in!

Why do whispers, soft tapping, and rustling pages trigger warm, tingling waves in some people but leave others completely unaffected? In this episode of Earvangelism, we explore the deeply personal and surprisingly emotional world of ASMR.
We break down what ASMR is, how the auditory system processes these intimate sounds, and why the brain sometimes interprets them as calming, safe, and pleasantly immersive. Along the way, we look at attention, memory, binaural recording, and how ASMR sits at the intersection of sound, emotion, and human connection.
This episode is an invitation to understand how sound shapes not just what we hear, but what we feel.

Why does the world sometimes feel like it has no middle volume? This episode of Earvangelism unravels the science of auditory recruitment, where damaged hair cells in the ear distort how we experience sound.
We’ll talk about how this phenomenon blurs the line between silence and noise, how it affects communication and comfort, and why understanding it reveals so much about the delicate relationship between the ear, the brain, and perception itself.

They both make things louder, so what’s the big deal? Quite a lot, actually. In this episode, we look at the growing world of over-the-counter hearing amplifiers — how they compare to prescription hearing aids, when they might help, and when they might do more harm than good.
From custom fitting to feedback control and brain adaptation, we’ll dive into the science of why “louder” doesn’t always mean “clearer.” If you’ve ever wondered whether those online amplifiers are worth it, this one’s for you.

Have you ever cringed at the sound of your own voice on a recording? You’re not alone — and there’s real science behind that discomfort. In this episode of Earvangelism, we explore why your voice sounds so different when played back, and what it reveals about how your hearing actually works.

From the physics of bone conduction to the quirks of recording technology, we’ll unpack how microphones, skull vibrations, and brain expectations all shape the voice you think you have. And we’ll ask a deeper question: why does hearing ourselves from the outside feel so strangely personal?

What if you could hear your eyes move? Or your own heartbeat echoing in your skull?
In this episode of Earvangelism, we explore Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS) — a rare and fascinating condition where a tiny hole in the inner ear blurs the line between sound, balance, and self-perception.
We’ll unpack the anatomy, the surreal symptoms, the challenges of diagnosis, and how surgical repair can help patients reclaim their sense of silence.
Join us as we dive into the “third window” of the inner ear — and discover what happens when hearing turns inward.

In a world full of sound, our brains are expert editors — deciding what’s worth hearing and what’s not. This episode of Earvangelism dives into the phenomenon of selective hearing: the fascinating intersection between perception and attention.

We’ll explore the neuroscience behind why some sounds capture our attention while others fade into the background. From survival instincts to modern distractions, and from romantic frustration to neural efficiency, selective hearing reveals how finely tuned — and biased — our auditory systems really are. By the end, you might rethink what it truly means to “listen.”

What if everyday sounds like chewing, tapping, or breathing made your skin crawl or sent your stress levels through the roof? In this episode of Earvangelism, we dive into misophonia — a condition where ordinary sounds trigger intense emotional and physical reactions. We’ll explore what science knows so far, why it happens, and how people cope with it. Whether you’re an audiologist, a healthcare professional, or someone who struggles with sound triggers, this episode will help you understand misophonia’s impact on the brain, behaviour, and daily life.

In this episode of the Earvangelism Podcast, we unpack the key factors that determine how effective hearing aids truly are. From the degree and type of hearing loss, to the role of technology, fitting formulae, and audiologist expertise, through to the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt — we explore why success with hearing aids depends on much more than the device itself.

You’ll hear why consistency is critical, how patient feedback shapes customization, and why encouraging friends or loved ones to give their hearing aids a real try can make all the difference. Finally, we step back to remind ourselves of an important truth: no matter how advanced the technology becomes, nothing compares to the natural hearing we’re born with — which makes protecting our ears more important than ever.