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The Havana Syndrome mystery and traumatic brain injury

With guest Michael E. Hoffer, M.D.
Podcast banner with Dr. Hoffer and Dean Ford
Dr. Michael E. Hoffer and Dean Henri Ford

February 22, 2023 

GuestMichael E. Hoffer, M.D.
Listen Time: 29m

What if concussions could be diagnosed immediately, at the site where the injury occurs? Dr. Michael Hoffer, professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery, joins Inside U Miami Medicine to discuss an innovative technology – in the form of “virtual reality” goggles – that could be a gamechanger for identifying mild traumatic brain injury at the point of care.

In addition to testing on NFL, Formula 1, and NCAA athletes, the technology was also used to rule out traumatic brain injury in another subset of individuals – U.S. government employees who experienced “Havana Syndrome.” In 2016, embassy employees in Havana reported severe, unexplained health problems, including ear pain, dizziness, and other neurological disturbances. Dr. Hoffer was on the frontlines of this medical mystery that engrossed the world.

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Michael Hoffer

Michael E. Hoffer, M.D.

Professor of Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, Otology
Clinical Profile | Publications
Biography: Dr. Michael Hoffer is a Professor of Otolaryngology and Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami. Dr. Hoffer assumed these roles after an over twenty year military career in which he studied mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) on active duty service members. Dr. Hoffer is a clinician-scientist who performs both basic and clinical research along with his Otology/Neurotology...
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