#SpeechInNoise

A seemingly simple act—tapping your finger at a specific rhythm—has been found to significantly boost brainpower and improve hearing, according to groundbreaking new research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The study, led by a team from Aix-Marseille University, demonstrates that rhythmic finger tapping, particularly at a moderate pace, primes the brain to better comprehend speech amid background noise. This discovery points to a previously unknown human ability that may have important implications for how we navigate noisy environments, learn languages, and even support those with hearing challenges.

A new study sheds light on why certain people find it particularly difficult to follow conversations in noisy environments, identifying changes in a vital brain region known as the insula. Published this week in the journal Brain and Language, the research from the University at Buffalo shows that the left insula in individuals who struggle with “speech-in-noise” tasks works harder and displays altered connectivity—even when the brain is supposedly at rest—possibly explaining persistent listening difficulties as well as links to cognitive decline and dementia (Neuroscience News).