What if some forms of hearing loss do not appear on current hearing tests at all? In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar sits down with neuroscientist, engineer, musician, and Carnegie Mellon Dean Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham to explore how the brain processes sound and why hearing is far more complex than simply detecting noise. Together, they discuss hidden hearing loss, the “cocktail party effect,” ADHD and sound filtering, cognitive fatigue, aging, sensory processing, and the emerging science behind sound, music, and the brain.

- You’re interested in ADHD, sensory processing, and cognitive load

- You want to understand how the brain filters sound

- You’re curious about the future of hearing diagnostics and neuroscience

Connect with Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-shinn-cunningham-9705208/

Connect with Sharon:

1. Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkedar/
2. Learn more about Innovate and Elevate: https:// innovateandelevatepodcast.com
3. Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWi1O9RBaPMYuCkKszPYVA
4. Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: https://innovateandelevatepodcast.com/email

The content shared in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or investment advice. Please seek guidance from your own qualified professionals before making decisions.

(00:00) Introduction to hearing and brain processing

(03:12) Why identical twins can experience sound differently

(06:25) Loud concerts, noise exposure, and hidden hearing loss

(11:08) Why hearing tests may miss subtle hearing damage

(16:10) Hypersensitivity, sound amplification, and aging

(21:22) ADHD, focus, and filtering sound

(27:40) The “cocktail party effect” explained

(34:18) Why hearing loss can feel mentally exhausting

(42:55) ADHD as a potential superpower

(52:11) Sound baths, sleep, and the neuroscience of sound

About Our Guest: Dr. Barbara Shinn-Cunningham is a neuroscientist, engineer, musician, and Dean of the Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on how the brain processes sound, attention, hearing, and sensory perception in complex environments.

About Sharon: Sharon Kedar is a co-founder and partner at Northpond Ventures, a multi-billion-dollar science-driven venture capital firm. Sharon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a CFA charter holder. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Greg, their three kids, and their dog Bo.

This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts: https://www.bravemoonpodcasts.com/