How can eyes detect hearing problems, according to a study

the Hearing impairment It affects many older people, but is often diagnosed decades later after having difficulty understanding speech in noisy situations. Therefore, careful assessment of listening efforts can help in early diagnosis of potential development of disability and create friendlier environments for treatment or prevention.

the Pupillary measurement It’s the most widely used method for assessing listening effort, but it has limitations that make it difficult to use in practice, experts warn. Now, a study by A new way To assess listening effort through eye movements, based on cognitive and neurophysiological work.

From this standpoint, a group of scholars saw… University of Toronto And based on Rotman Research Institute from Canada, tested the hypothesis that eye movements decrease when listening to speech becomes difficult.

the The way someone looks Specialists say this may be the first early sign of deafness. Usually, when a doctor tests for hearing problems, he or she looks at your ears. But the problem with this practice is that hearing tests usually only detect hearing loss. A decade or two after its appearance, which is not very useful. But now, Canadian researchers say their new research could have found a better method, one that would help detect hearing problems much sooner.

to Watch people’s eyes While listening to someone talk, a neuroscientist Bjorn Herrmann, of the University of Toronto, identified a telltale sign of hearing difficulty. The harder it is for someone to listen, the more intently they stare. Previous studies have found that people who try to focus on what they can’t see well don’t move their eyes as much.

New research published in Journal of NeuroscienceHe points out that the same applies to people who have difficulty hearing and therefore have to work harder.

“The next steps are, without a doubt, to check whether the eye movements are as well,” Björn emphasized Indicates listening effort “In older people, because these are the populations for whom our new approach may be most beneficial.”

They participated in the study 23 young adultsWho considered their hearing to be healthy. They listened to podcasts at different volume levels with different background noise, and some of the noise made it more difficult to hear the audio. While listening to the sounds, participants rested their chins on a ledge in front of a computer screen, while scientists monitored their eye movements.

Researchers discovered this Eye movements decreased in the most difficult listening conditions. The expert said working hard to hear something does not always indicate hearing loss, but it could be a sign that someone is suffering.

“Hearing loss is very common, especially as we get older,” the specialist continued. But it’s not always easy to know if you’re losing your hearing. the Common signs They include: difficulty hearing others clearly and not understanding what they are saying, especially in noisy places; Having to ask people to repeat themselves; Listening to music or watching television at a higher volume than people need; Difficulty hearing people on the phone. You may find it difficult to follow a conversation and feel tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening. “Sometimes, someone else may notice hearing problems before you do.”