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Exclusive | The weirdest Ozempic side effect yet? Weight loss drugs are making people hear their own blood, eyes moving, ‘Darth Vader’ voice

Nypost · · 1574 words · By McKenzie Beard
Patient Experience GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Medical Side Effects
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What to know about Patient Experience

Weight loss drugs are making people hear their own blood, eyes moving, ‘Darth Vader’ voice See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 10
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center67%
Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Weight loss drugs are making people hear their own blood, eyes moving, ‘Darth Vader’ voice See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on GoogleWelcome to The Thin Line, The New York Post’s series about the darker side of GLP-1 drugs.

Common ground

Though GLP-1 agonists sold under brand names like Ozempic have helped millions of people lose weight, manage diabetes and improve other health conditions, they are not without risks.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/27/health/glp-1s-are-fueling-a-rise-of-a-bizarre-rare…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 90% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 10 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

verified Verified By Reference 4
check_circle Corroborated 4
info Single Source 2
info
Claim 1: “We saw a rise when bariatric surgery became popular several decades ago, but things really tapered off until around two or three years ago when the GLP-1 rise occurred”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the evidence discusses GLP-1s and bariatric surgery separately, no provided source confirms the specific historical trend of pETD rising during the bariatric surgery era and then again with GLP-1s.
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web search NEUTRAL — The lipid profile in obesity is marked by an increase in triglycerides and free fatty acids [20]. Obesity leads to oxidative stress from proinflammatory ...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11940170/
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web search NEUTRAL — May 5, 2026 ... Total weight loss increased to more than 25% among those who later turned to gastric bypass surgery and about 20% among those who had sleeve ...
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260505/GLP-1-drugs-combi…
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web search NEUTRAL — A new class of drugs known as GLP-1's has shown remarkable results in both Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. These drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are ...
https://gabelli.com/research/overview-of-glp-1s/
verified
Claim 2: “Today, at least 1 in 8 American adults have tried a GLP-1 to slim down”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided Wikipedia entries describe what GLP-1 agonists are, but none of them provide the specific statistic that 1 in 8 American adults have tried them for weight loss.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1 agonists and GLP-1RAs, are a class of medications that activate the GLP-1 receptor, causing reduced blood sugar, reduced appetite…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLP-1_receptor_agonist
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a 30- or 31-amino-acid-long peptide hormone deriving from tissue-specific posttranslational processing of the proglucagon peptide. It is produced and secreted by int…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucagon-like_peptide-1
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Retatrutide (LY-3437943) is an experimental drug for obesity developed by the American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company. It is a triple glucagon hormone receptor agonist (GLP-1, GIP, and …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retatrutide
verified
Claim 3: “A study published last year by a German ENT clinic documented seven patients with pETD between June 2024 and June 2025. Each developed symptoms after four to ten months on GLP-1s, with weight loss ranging from 8.2% to 18.7% of their baseline body weight.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided Wikipedia results are completely irrelevant (discussing the 1600s, hip-hop, and Syria) and do not mention a German ENT clinic study or the specific statistics cited in the claim.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 1600s (pronounced "sixteen-hundreds") was a decade of the Gregorian calendar that began on 1 January 1600, and ended on 31 December 1609. The term "sixteen-hundreds" could also mean the entire ce…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1600s_(decade)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop for the year 2024.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_in_hip-hop
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Eastern Syria insurgency is an armed insurgency being waged by remnants of the Islamic State and both pro- and anti-Ba'athist Syria Arab nationalist insurgents, against the Autonomous Administrati…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Syria_insurgency
verified
Claim 4: “Humans have two Eustachian tubes — one on each side of the head — that connect the middle ear to the back of the throat.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and Medscape Reference confirm that humans have two Eustachian tubes connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx/back of the throat.
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web search NEUTRAL — The Eustachian tube also called the auditory tube or pharyngotympanic tube, is a tube that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear, of which it is also a ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustachian_tube
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 2, 2024 ... Eustachian tubes connect your middle ears to the back of your throat ... You have two eustachian tubes, one on each side of your face ...
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22072-eustachian-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 25, 2022 ... The eustachian tube (pharyngotympanic tube) connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx. ... middle ears of animals and humans. It ...
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/874348-overview
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Claim 5: “GLP-1 agonists sold under brand names like Ozempic have helped millions of people lose weight, manage diabetes and improve other health conditions”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (Cleveland Clinic, Highway to the danger zone, and other web results) confirm GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic are used for obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment and deliver weight loss outcomes.
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web search NEUTRAL — And they're just one part of your treatment plan if you have Type 2 diabetes or obesity. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if they're right for you.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/13901-glp-1…
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web search NEUTRAL — Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are revolutionizing obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment, delivering remarkable weight loss outcomes.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11144546/
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 14, 2025 ... GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic), liraglutide (Victoza), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) help by increasing insulin secretion in ...
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/h…
verified
Claim 6: “in pETD, one or both tubes remain open”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and Johns Hopkins Medicine both define patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction as a condition where the tube remains open.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Eustachian tube (), also called the auditory tube or pharyngotympanic tube, is a tube that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear, of which it is also a part. In adult humans, the Eustachian tub…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustachian_tube
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a disorder where pressure abnormalities in the middle ear result in symptoms.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustachian_tube_dysfunction
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Patulous Eustachian tube is the name of a physical disorder where the Eustachian tube, which is normally closed, instead stays intermittently open. When this occurs, the person experiences autophony,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patulous_Eustachian_tube
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 7: “in cases of rapid weight loss, the fat pad around the Eustachian tube can shrink”
CORROBORATED
Three independent sources (MediFind, Hearzap, and The Hearing Journal) confirm that rapid weight loss causes the fat pad around the Eustachian tube to shrink, leading to pETD.
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web search NEUTRAL — Significant Weight Loss: This is a major and common cause. Rapid or substantial weight loss from any cause, including bariatric surgery, chronic illness, or an eating disorder, can cause the fat pads …
https://www.medifind.com/conditions/patulous-eustachian-tube…
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web search NEUTRAL — Even moderate weight loss can reduce the fat pad surrounding the tube sufficiently to cause the problem.Patulous Eustachian tube usually does not cause permanent hearing loss but can affect sound perc…
https://www.hearzap.com/blogs/patulous-eustachian-tube/
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web search NEUTRAL — The weight loss causes the fat pad around the Eustachian tube to shrink, leading to a loss of support for tube closure.
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2014/100…
info
Claim 8: “Doctors say they’re now seeing a growing number of patients develop the rare ear disorder after shedding weight quickly on blockbuster diabetes and obesity drugs.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of dictionary definitions for the word 'there' and does not contain any medical or news reports regarding the link between GLP-1 drugs and pETD.
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web search NEUTRAL — 3 days ago · The meaning of THERE is in or at that place —often used interjectionally. How to use there in a sentence. There vs. <span class ...
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/there
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web search NEUTRAL — THERE definition: 1. (to, at, or in) that place: 2. to arrive somewhere: 3. to succeed: . Learn more.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/there
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web search NEUTRAL — They’re, their, and there are among the most commonly confused homophones. Here, some tricks and examples to help you use them correctly.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/how-to-use-theyre-th…
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Claim 9: “tirzepatide, the active ingredient in GLP-1s like Mounjaro and Zepbound”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (GoodRx and other web results) explicitly state that tirzepatide is the active ingredient in both Mounjaro and Zepbound.
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web search NEUTRAL — Feb 8, 2025 ... Mounjaro and Zepbound contain the same active ingredient—Tirzepatide—but serve distinct medical purposes. If you are managing diabetes, Mounjaro ...
https://www.preventionclinics.com/post/mounjaro-zepbound-and…
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web search NEUTRAL — Mounjaro and Zepbound are once-weekly injections that contain the same active ingredient: tirzepatide. Both brand names share similar dosages, side effects, and ...
https://www.goodrx.com/classes/gip-receptor-glp-1-receptor-a…
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web search NEUTRAL — Tirzepatide injection is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is used together with diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tirzepatide-sub…
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Claim 10: “patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction, also known as pETD, an ear condition that can cause people to hear their own voice, breathing and internal bodily sounds at an overwhelming volume”
CORROBORATED
Wikipedia, Stanford Health Care, and NIH (PMC) all confirm that pETD causes autophony, where patients hear their own voice, breathing, and internal sounds.
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web search NEUTRAL — When this occurs, the person experiences autophony, the hearing of self-generated sounds. These sounds, such as one's own breathing, voice, and heartbeat, ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patulous_Eustachian_tube
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web search NEUTRAL — The main symptom of patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction is hearing your own voice too loudly (autophony). This symptom is a result of the open column of air ...
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/ear-nose-a…
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web search NEUTRAL — Oct 11, 2019 · The enhanced low frequency sound perception of own voice often mimics what PET patients say they hear on vocalization. Other disorders such ...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6849362/
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.