Hearing ability extends beyond the ears, intricately tied to how the brain combines sensory information, particularly vision. In noisy or crowded settings, visual signals often enhance auditory perception more than one might expect.

The brain doesn't just 'hear' with its ears

According to audiology experts, the brain perceives and processes its surroundings by coordinating multiple senses simultaneously, especially hearing and vision. When in a crowd, the brain doesn't solely rely on sound; it also uses visual signals. These signals include movement, lip movements, the direction of sounds, and the surrounding context to determine what's happening. This explains why many people hear more clearly when looking directly at a speaker, particularly in busy cafes, on streets, or in shopping malls.

Some experts suggest that closing eyes in a noisy environment might reduce excessive external information intake by the brain, making it harder to perceive subtle sounds.

Why do many people habitually close their eyes when listening?

Nevertheless, closing eyes isn't entirely useless. In quiet environments, this action can reduce visual distractions, thereby increasing focus on sound. Many also tend to close their eyes when trying to recall a piece of music, concentrate, or listen for subtle details in a conversation. This reaction naturally helps the brain reduce the information it processes simultaneously.

The effectiveness of closing eyes depends on the surrounding environment. In quiet settings, reducing visual stimuli can aid concentration. Conversely, in crowded spaces, vision helps the brain orient and interpret sounds more accurately.

Vision and hearing always work together

In reality, the brain constantly integrates information from multiple senses to perceive its environment. For example, upon hearing one's name in a crowd, people often unconsciously turn towards the sound to find additional visual cues. Similarly, observing moving vehicles helps identify the direction of horns or engine sounds more quickly. In complex environments, coordinating both hearing and vision helps the brain process information more effectively than focusing on just one sense. In noisy places, keeping eyes open and observing surroundings is sometimes more useful than closing them completely when trying to hear a subtle sound.

Bao Bao (According to Everyday Health)