Gaby
We all find ourselves in situations where we need to listen to someone in a noisy environment and respond to what they’re saying. However, this isn’t always easy.
A new study from researchers at Aix-Marseille University in France has shown that tapping your fingers in a steady rhythm can help improve your ability to hear in such conditions.
In their report, the researchers explained that they developed a series of experiments to “uncover the role of movement in speech comprehension, based on the theory that the motor system actively contributes to the integration and reuse of temporal information.” It’s important to clarify what these words and the experiments entail.
How Was the Research Conducted?
Participants in the study, who were native French speakers, listened to recordings of a speaker reading 40 text messages. Due to background noise, these messages were difficult to understand, as reported by Science Alert.
The research team, led by psycholinguist Noémie te Rietmolen, conducted three experiments, but the main findings were derived from the second experiment.
Each time a participant was about to listen to a new text “block,” they were asked to prepare. The preparation options included: rhythmically tapping their finger at their own pace; tapping on the table in the rhythm suggested by the researchers; simply listening to the rhythm without tapping; or just waiting in silence for the start.
Afterward, the researchers assessed how well the participants understood the information based on accuracy and speed.
Those who prepared for listening by tapping in their own rhythm or the suggested rhythm significantly better identified words in the sentences.
So, if you’re having trouble hearing someone, say, sitting at the next table in a noisy restaurant, try this simple method.
The results of the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
