The Sound Barrier #2: The noise that isn't there

Unexplainable

Vox

Science, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences

4.6 • 2.4K Ratings

🗓️ 5 November 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Almost 15% of adults suffer from a persistent, often intolerable sound... that is literally just in their heads. Why does the brain do this to us? We help one of our listeners get some answers. This is the second episode of our new four-part series, The Sound Barrier. Guests: Stéphane Maison, director of the tinnitus clinic at Mass Eye and Ear; Susan Shore, professor emerita at the University of Michigan, and Dan Polley, tinnitus researcher at Mass Eye and Ear For show transcripts, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unxtranscripts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unexplainable⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And please email us! ⁠⁠⁠⁠unexplainable@vox.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ We read every email. Support Unexplainable (and get ad-free episodes) by becoming a Vox Member today: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/members⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Support for the show comes from the Audible original The Downloaded 2, Ghosts in the Machine.
0:06.0	Earth's final days are near, and the clock is ticking for members of the Phoenix colony.
0:11.0	All they need to do is upload their minds back into the quantum computer.
0:15.0	Simple enough, but their plan is disrupted by digital duplicates of their own minds
0:20.0	that could destroy their stored
0:21.7	consciousness forever. Listen to Oscar winner Brendan Fraser reprised his role as Roscoe Cadulian
0:27.7	in this follow-up to the audible hit sci-fi thriller The Downloaded by Canada's most
0:32.4	decorated sci-fi author Robert J. Sawyer. What are you willing to lose to save the ones you love?
0:38.5	Find out in the thought-provoking sequel that downloaded two, Ghosts in the Machine.
0:42.6	Available now, only from Audible.
0:48.6	300 sensors.
0:50.8	Over a million data points per second.
0:54.0	How does F1 update their fans with every stat in real time?
0:58.0	AWS is how.
1:00.0	From fastest laps to strategy calls,
1:03.0	AWS puts fans in the pit.
1:06.0	It's not just racing, it's data-driven innovation at 200 miles per hour.
1:13.1	AWS is how leading businesses power next-level innovation.
1:22.7	I noticed around just New Year's time.
1:27.3	I just remember there was something on the bright side of my ear going. I noticed it around just New Year's time.
1:27.8	I just remember there was something on the bright side of my ear going on.
1:33.0	It's like, do-do, do-do, do-do, do-do.
	...

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