The Science of Hearing, Balance & Accelerated Learning

This episode I describe how our ears and nervous system decode sound waves and gravity to allow us to hear and make sense of sounds. I also describe protocols for rapid learning of sound and other types of information. I discuss sound localization, doppler effects (sound motion), pitch perception and how we isolate sounds in noisy environments. I also review the scientific findings on binaural beats and white noise and how they can improve learning. Other topics and protocols include tinnitus, sea sickness, ear movement, ear growth and the science-supported ways we can all accelerate learning using "gap effects".

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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Overview of Topics
00:02:20 Protocol: New Data for Rapid Learning
00:09:10 Introduction: Hearing & Balance
00:13:53 How We Perceive Sounds
00:21:56 Your Hearing Brain (Areas)
00:23:48 Localizing Sounds
00:28:00 Ear Movement: What It Means
00:33:00 Your Ears (Likely) Make Sounds: Role of Hormones, Sexual Orientation
00:35:30 Binaural Beats: Do They Work?
00:43:54 White Noise Can Enhance Learning & Dopamine
00:51:00 Headphones
00:55:51 White Noise During Development: Possibly Harmful
01:03:25 Remembering Information, The Cocktail Party Effect
01:12:55 How to Learn Information You Hear
01:18:10 Doppler
01:22:43 Tinnitus: What Has Been Found To Help?
01:30:40 Aging: How Big Are Your Ears?
01:35:00 Balance: Semi-Circular Canals
01:40:35 A Vestibular Experiment
01:43:15 Improve Your Sense of Balance
01:48:55 Accelerating Balance
01:51:55 Self-Generated Forward Motion
01:56:25 Dizzy versus Light-Headed
01:58:38 Motion Sickness Solution
02:01:23 Synthesis

Please note that The Huberman Lab Podcast is distinct from Dr. Huberman's teaching and research roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Huberman Lab Podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.

[IwokeUpInSOMA]

Phenomenal video, Dr H.

I cannot stress enough to protect your ears.

Im 25 and have tinnitus and partial hearing loss in one ear. The wave of dread, both every night as i try to sleep, and every morning, as i wake up 'one sided', knows no limits.

Feels like you are imprisoned within your own mind; life sentence.

I even considered doing the worst, at one point, but having family, it would be unfair to do so.

Ive learned to deal with it somewhat, but i feel like ive ruined my quality of life.

Please, please, PLEASE look after your hearing. If not, well then prepare to never hear silence/peace again.

Thank you.🙏

[elizabethbennett]

I have learned more in 6 months of Dr Huberman's podcast than 7 years of college and 20 years as a psychiatric nurse. Thank you for the time and energy you spend to provide this gift.

[siddiqui]

Professor, I greatly admire your verbal fluency. I'm also a teacher but after one hour of lecturing my verbal fluency drops. I also develop mild headache. If your next episode is on speech, please provide a protocol to improve verbal fluency. Thank you.

[GeorgiaHorridus]

The wealth of information Dr. Huberman provides could have a profound impact on the education system if these protocols were implemented in schools. I really wish this information was available to my teachers when I was in school. Dr. Huberman, you are a wellspring of information, and I’m grateful that you started your own podcast.

[alessandrofacciani]

I’m watching this episode with my 4 year old son!!We both are your fans!!Thanks Andrew..My son still remember when you said to him to use the physiological sigh for calming himself 🙏🏻

[SI]

I'm a Musician performer and educator, and I have to say, this was the best explanation about our auditory system.

[jaredsasina]

An episode idea I would love to learn more of:
Science for improving the Mobility, Durability, and Longevity for our Connective tissues, Joints/Ligaments.

Subtopics within that I'm curious about: -Popping Joints, -Cartilage around the body, - How stretching works/additional benefits, -When you have achieved optimal stretching for your current level, VS. Doing too much, VS. Successfully expanding your potential.

Absolutely loving your work, and I appreciate everything you are doing for us. Thank you!

[ItsJADA]

Man Monday evenings are a drag till I get this alert... Mr Huberman is making my life better

[actionman]

Dr Huberman, can you please provide some information in your future podcasts on how to read a scientific paper correctly? It will be hugely helpful to be able to critically read a scientific paper. Regards.

[Lions]

I started listening to the first episode when it came out. Loved it. After that I became too busy with work and such. When I checked again for the podcast, suddenly 26 more episodes were released.

Oh boy do I have catching up to do! Love it!

[evesky]

Huberman proves repeatedly that slides and videos are overrated. Pitch black background, snorring dog sounds instead of white noise, and deep knowledge of the subject is all you need to capture attention. Brilliant. P.S. I am turning the bat clicks emulation into a ringtone;)

[KeredB]

I would’ve never known about the effect that white noise has on children without this episode. I’m sure all of the parents who listen to your podcast would love a month dedicated to the science of childhood development. Keep up the great work!

[CAV]

As a child I suffered from chronic middle ear infections ( due to allergies) .I lost my hearing due the damage ( scar tissue and “glue ears”
I had myringotomy procedure ( I remember the dr telling my mom that I didn’t have “glue ears” I had “cement ears”. The buildup of fluid was that bad. In all of his years of practice (30+) he had never seen ears as bad as mine. I recall reading my teachers lips when I was in 2 grade. After the procedure I was able to hear! I have such empathy for anyone who has / had a hearing problem. Today my hearing is perfect. My kids are call me “bat mom” because they can’t believe that I can hear so well . Even with earphones on ( never told them that I didn’t have them turned on)

[chris_jorge]

Does YouTube have an educator award? If it doesn’t it should. Andrew deserves the win! 🏆

[conornagle]

As a musician and a quasi-producer/engineer, I like to use the analogy of videogame bosses in regards to executing recording takes in the studio. You get to the big boss fight and die and die and die. Leave it until the next day, and usually within the first couple attempts there is success. As goes with really nailing a great take for a song. Happy to hear there is scientific literature to back up these experiences. The tools are intrinsic. Thank you again, Dr. Hubes.

[hhumh]

I love how most great podcast authors let their sense of humour shine more as they get deeper into the podcast waters and gain more experience / feel more at ease. Lex Fridman also seems to joke more these days, and so do Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein. What a treat!

[LoisSharbel]

I am 9 minutes into your two hour podcast and I am ecstatic. How did I stumble onto this treasure of information? This Sunday morning is going to be a superb treat. Thank you!!!

[memastarful]

On the topic of hearing, I've always found deep connection and healing thru hearing/listening to music specifically worship music it really affects my mind body and soul. It's like soul food. Music has helped me survive so many difficult moments in my life.

[ashtenstephenson]

1st- I would love to see this topic expanded to include ASMR, misophonia, bacterial meningitis, ADHD, personality etc; as well as any possible intersections between these topics (which I personally feel must exist).

2nd- Thank you so very much for making your expertise available online for free. Please continue to keep up the great work- I find your topics fascinating!

Ps: thanks in advance also to my fellow commenters!

[vladimirradeka]

The way you break things down, and the way you explain those things are pure amazing.Please never stop doing this🙏