"Conversations in Tinnitus" podcasts are hosted by audiologists John A. Coverstone, AuD, our podcast producer and Dean Flyger, AuD, a private practice audiologist in Paris, TX. Each podcast focuses on current issues, research, and treatment methods for people living with tinnitus.
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Podcast 6: Mapping Tinnitus in the Brain
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Phillip Gander, PhD TOPIC: Dr. Gander discusses how the brain makes sense of the tinnitus sound, from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience. He discusses his research, which includes use of psychophysics and neuroimaging, to explain how the brain processes the phantom tinnitus sound. Gander explains how progress in neuroscience is providing the knowledge to develop more effective treatments for tinnitus. He also elaborates on current obstacles in research and prospects for the future.
Podcast 7: Shared Decision-Making in Tinnitus Care
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Helen Pryce, MSc, PD (Health) TOPIC: Dr. Pryce explains how healthcare providers can implement shared decision-making with tinnitus patients through use of the Tinnitus Care Options Grid, which was developed in the United Kingdom and presents evidence-based treatment choices. By empowering patients in conversations that weigh the pros and cons of each care option, Pryce believes patients are more likely to commit to a treatment plan that proves successful because it meets their needs and interests.
Podcast 8: Breakthrough using Multisensory Stimulation to Reduce Tinnitus
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Susan Shore, PhD TOPIC: Dr. Shore discusses groundbreaking research in tinnitus treatment using bimodal stimulation. She heads the team of researchers at the University of Michigan, where it was discovered that ‘touch’-sensitive neurons in the auditory part of the brain become hyperactive and synchronized with each other in guinea pigs and humans with tinnitus. The team’s preliminary studies found that bimodal stimulation, which calms neurons using specially-timed multisensory stimulation, reduces tinnitus distress and loudness.
Podcast 9: Research on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Tinnitus Treatment
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Laurence McKenna, PhD TOPIC: Dr. McKenna discusses recent research findings from his largescale study on the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT) for treating tinnitus. As a cognitive behavioral therapist, specializing in the psychological aspects of tinnitus and hearing loss, he offers unique insights into the challenges that patients face and best practices for treatment. He also elaborates on why he’s pushed for greater usage of MBCT for tinnitus treatment in recent years.
Podcast 10: Habituation to Tinnitus Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Bruce Hubbard, PhD TOPIC: For over 20 years, Dr. Hubbard has helped people improve their lives using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and relational therapy strategies. He explains how CBT and mindfulness are applied to treatment of tinnitus and what patients should expect in regard to habituation. Dr. Hubbard, who has tinnitus, also offers insights into using the internet and support systems to manage tinnitus distress.
Podcast 11: Talking About Tinnitus with Children
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS: David Baguley, PhD, and Claire Benton, MSc TOPIC: Dr. Baguley and Claire Benton discuss their efforts to educate parents, teachers, and healthcare providers on talking to children about tinnitus. The widespread misconception that children don’t have tinnitus has meant children suffer alone and miss critical opportunities for early intervention. They also discuss their research findings on the topic and tools to help children manage tinnitus.
Podcast 12: ATA Advocacy Efforts in Washington
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Deborah Outlaw, JD TOPIC: With decades dedicated to advocacy work on Capitol Hill, Deborah Outlaw provides in-depth insights into the challenges of securing increased federal funding for tinnitus research. She talks about her past and present activities on behalf of the American Tinnitus Association to bring tinnitus to the forefront of discussions with lawmakers. Outlaw also explains who the relevant players are and what ATA members can reasonably expect in the near- and short-term for increased federal funding of tinnitus research.
Dr. Phillip Gander discusses his groundbreaking research mapping tinnitus in the brain during two different craniotomies. His research has added clarity to fMRI studies and theories on the different networks of brain that process the phantom sound/s of tinnitus. In addition to sharing unexpected things that happened during the research conducted while the patients were awake, he touches on how future research might be designed to track and compare changes in the brain of subjects with tinnitus, which could provide better understanding of subsets of tinnitus and why it affects people differently.
Our 5th podcast features Glenn Schweitzer, a best-selling author and blogger on tinnitus and Meniere’s disease. Schweitzer was a college student when the sudden onset of Meniere’s disease destroyed his vision of having a productive life. He shares how this life-altering disease aggravated his tinnitus and necessitated a radical change in lifestyle, focus, and commitment to helping others with both conditions. Listeners will hear his story and what motivated him to become an advocate 
Our 4th podcast features Dr. Larry Roberts, an emeritus professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Dr. Roberts discusses cutting-edge research in neuroscience that points to understanding possible causes of tinnitus, including cochlear pathology, hidden hearing loss at high frequencies, and synaptopathy. He also shares compelling findings on teenagers
