Send us Fan Mail The best hearing technology in the world still fails when we ignore the person wearing it. Host, Dr. Dave Fabry, kicks off a Legacy Series conversation with Robert Sweetow, former chief of audiology at UCSF, to look back on how hearing care evolved from screwdrivers and body aids to digital, apps, and AI hearing aids, and to ask a sharper question: did the profession grow more human along the way, or more device-driven? Dr. Sweetow shares his origin story, training at Northwestern under Ray Carhart, and the real-world moments that pushed him beyond “matching target” into tinnitus management and aural rehabilitation. We get honest about why tinnitus is so emotionally loaded, why cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus became a turning point, and why many “miracle” sound solutions never delivered a cure. We also talk about what still frustrates clinicians and patients alike: uneven adoption of speech-in-noise testing and real ear measures, counseling that sounds scripted, and the lack of consistent follow-up that could prevent many problems before they snowball. From bimodal stimulation to brain-wave driven algorithms, we explore what might be next and what should never be outsourced. AI can streamline fitting and tracking, but it cannot replace empathy, clinical judgment, and the skill of engaging patients so they actually practice, participate, and improve at home. If you care about patient-centered audiology, tinnitus counseling, and better long-term hearing aid outcomes, this conversation will leave you with practical ideas and a clearer view of what “fitting the brain” really means. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with someone who cares about better hearing, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

A Veteran Audiologist On Tinnitus And The Human Side Of Care

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