Fauquier ENT

03/10/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/DnuG4rRUL3w
What Hearing With a Cochlear Implant Really Sounds Like: Scene from Sound of Metal (2019)

In the film, there’s a powerful scene where Ruben (who became deaf as an adult) gets his cochlear implant turned on for the first time. Instead of normal hearing, everything sounds metallic, distorted, and robotic.

That’s actually very realistic and this scene is one of the most accurate portrayals of cochlear implant hearing ever shown in a film.

A cochlear implant doesn’t restore natural hearing. Instead, it converts sound into electrical signals that directly stimulate the auditory nerve inside the cochlea. Because the brain is receiving simplified electrical patterns instead of normal sound vibrations, voices can initially sound artificial or mechanical.

But over time, the brain adapts. Through a process called auditory neuroplasticity, many patients gradually learn to interpret these signals and speech becomes clearer.

In the film Sound of Metal (2019), there’s a powerful scene where Ruben (who became deaf as an adult) gets his cochlear implant turned on for the first time....

03/08/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/emQRFIPDyso?feature=share
Can a Slap Really Rupture an Eardrum? It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Bleeding Ear Scene Explained

In the classic film, It's a Wonderful Life (1946), young George Bailey is slapped across the ear and later shown bleeding from his ear. It may seem dramatic,...

03/06/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/VL0DvrexJrE
I came across this video on Reddit (full link below) comparing the balance of a 10-year-old figure skater to that of a 55-year-old woman bending over in a bathroom.

It’s not exactly a fair comparison. Figure skaters spend years training their vestibular system so they can spin rapidly without getting dizzy. That ability isn’t just natural talent — it’s the result of repeated practice and adaptation.

But here’s the interesting part: with the right vestibular training and balance exercises, many adults — even at 55 — can significantly improve their balance and ability to tolerate challenging movements.

Your brain and balance system are more adaptable than most people realize.

Full link credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1rihgbp/10_vs_55_year_old/

skating training science sensitivity exercises

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I came across this video on Reddit (full link below) comparing the balance of a 10-year-old figure skater to that of a 55-year-old woman bending over in a ba...

02/15/2026

During the 1970s and 1980s, millions of children in the Soviet Union had their tonsils removed — often simply because they were enlarged. Tonsils were widely viewed as unnecessary and blamed for sore throats and recurring infections. When a child became ill frequently, a tonsillectomy was therefore presented as the standard solution.

Parents were told the operation was routine and medically required. For many children, however, the experience was deeply traumatic. Procedures were not rarely performed without general anesthesia, in stark clinical settings and with little or no comforting explanation. What remained for many were painful memories and lasting fear.

At the time, the immune function of the tonsils was largely unknown or underestimated, even though they play an important role in defending the body against pathogens. Today, tonsillectomy is no longer considered an automatic measure; it is used far more cautiously and only when clearly indicated. Many adults who grew up in the USSR remember the surgery as their first defining experience of vulnerability and helplessness.

This rarely discussed chapter is a powerful reminder of how much medicine has evolved. Progress does not only mean better technology and more knowledge, but also a more humane approach to young patients — one based on communication, respect, and compassion rather than simply fixing a problem.

02/09/2026

AI for surgical use probably not ready for regular use just yet. Numerous bad outcomes (more than expected) from using AI during image-guided sinus surgery.

Medical device makers have been rushing to add AI to their products. While proponents say the new technology will revolutionize medicine, regulators are receiving a rising number of claims of patient injuries.

02/03/2026

Grateful to be recognized as a Top Doctor 2026 by Northern Virginia Magazine. Thanks to my patients, families, and colleagues for trusting me with your care. 💙

01/31/2026

New tinnitus sound therapy webpage that some research has shown to be helpful for tinnitus sufferers. Called spectral ripple, you can try it out for free here!

Science-based spectral ripple sound therapy for tinnitus relief based on Yukhnovich et al. (2025) research.

01/22/2026

From the Exam Room to the Ice Rink: Why an ENT Doctor Started Making Videos on Concussion Evaluation

From the Exam Room to the Ice Rink: Why an ENT Doctor Started Making Videos on Concussion Evaluation ENT blog about all things pertaining to the world of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ear, nose, and throat).

01/21/2026

Untreated Hearing Loss Increases the Risk of Imbalance and Falls: What the Science Says

Untreated Hearing Loss Increases the Risk of Imbalance and Falls: What the Science Says ENT blog about all things pertaining to the world of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ear, nose, and throat).

01/20/2026

Concussion Eye Exam: 6 Eye Movement Tests to Evaluate Post-Concussion Symptoms & Abnormal Examples

Vision problems are common after a concussion and often involve eye movement and tracking issues. In this video, we explain how a concussion vision exam eval...

01/08/2026

Why Some Toddlers Are Sensitive to Loud Noises (And When It’s Normal)

Many toddlers suddenly start covering their ears, crying, or avoiding everyday noises — like vacuums, hand dryers, or toilets flushing — even though those sa...

12/18/2025

Temporary Sound Sensitivity in Toddlers: A Normal Part of Sensory Development

Temporary Sound Sensitivity in Toddlers: A Normal Part of Sensory Development ENT blog about all things pertaining to the world of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ear, nose, and throat).