It is possible to know eye movements only by decoding the subtle sounds emanating from the ears. This finding could help in future hearing tests
November 27
2023
– 23:01
(Updated 11/28/2023 at 5:31 AM)
Scientists have discovered that the ears emit a faint noise when the eyes move, and from this it is possible to know the movements of the eyes only by decoding these sounds. The results were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers also discovered that just by knowing where someone is looking, it is possible to predict the waveform of the sound produced by the ear.
According to the group, these sounds may occur when eye movements stimulate the brain to contract muscles in the middle ear, which normally help to dampen loud sounds, or hair cells that help amplify quiet sounds.
At the moment, the exact purpose of these sounds in the ears is still unclear, but one theory is that they may help sharpen people’s perception.
The team says in a statement published by the same team: “We believe that this is part of a system that allows the brain to determine where images and sounds are located, even though our eyes can move, while our heads and ears cannot.” – Duke University.
The relationship between vision and hearing
In the study, participants looked at a static green dot on a computer screen and then, without moving their head, followed the dot with their eyes as it disappeared and reappeared up, down, left, right, or diagonally from the starting point. During the incident, the researchers focused on the auditory signals generated while the eyes moved.
As the researchers themselves realize, understanding the relationship between subtle auditory sounds and vision could lead to the development of new sounds Clinical tests of hearing. “If each part of the ear contributes individual rules to the tympanic signal, they could be used as a kind of clinical tool to assess which part of the ear anatomy is faulty,” the team estimates.
source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Duke of the day
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Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
