Stanford Engineering
28 March 2025
Physician Tina Stankovic is an ear, nose, and throat specialist and a lover of music whose seemingly disparate pursuits — medicine and music — have led her to a groundbreaking career in hearing research. She recently worked with music legend Paul Simon during his well-publicized battle with hearing loss and he has become a vocal advocate for hearing research. New understandings and new approaches like regenerative medicine have put the once-impossible dream of hearing restoration within reach, Stankovic tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Konstantina M. StankovicStanford Researchers Assist Paul Simon with his Return to the StageInside the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss: Cutting-Edge Science and InnovationConnect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Tina Stankovic, a professor of otolaryngology and neurosurgery at Stanford University. (00:03:36) Why Hearing Loss What inspired Tina’s lifelong journey into hearing science. (00:04:17) Treating Hearing Loss Limits of current options and lack of FDA-approved therapies. (00:05:23) Causes of Hearing Loss The two main categories of hearing loss: conductive vs. sensorineural. (00:07:47) Inside the Inner Ear The complexity of the inner ear, and why diagnosis is so difficult. (00:09:22) Tinnitus & Hearing Loss Why ear damage can cause phantom sounds in the brain. (00:10:28) Emerging Technologies in Hearing Research New technologies that are evolving treatment approaches. (00:15:19) Recreating the Ear in the Lab Challenges the inner ear’s unique composition pose to researchers. (00:20:02) AI Applications in Hearing Diagnosis The ways AI is transforming diagnosis and genetic analysis. (00:21:31) Can Ears Regrow? Why humans don’t regenerate ear cells—but mice might help. (00:23:55) Emotional & Social Toll of Hearing Loss How hearing loss can lead to isolation, stigma, and cognitive decline. (00:26:06) Born Deaf vs. Later Hearing Loss Experiential differences between those with early and late hearing loss. (00:27:52) Paul Simon’s Role and Advocacy How the artist got involved with Tina’s work and the initiative at Stanford. (00:29:44) Protecting Your Hearing Best practices for protecting your hearing. (00:33:21) Conclusion Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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