Hearing is directly linked to how our brains function, and our brains help us interpret what we hear. As Dr. Jessica Woods, AuD, CCC-A explains to her patients, “We hear with our brains, not with our ears.”
Seeing and Hearing Are Believing
The brain gathers visual cues to supplement auditory information. That is why it’s helpful to have the context of facial expressions or the chance to read lips in order to understand what someone’s saying. Likewise, The Hearing Review recently cited research indicating that the visual cortex of the brain uses the sounds we hear to predict what is seen. In other words, our brains manage all sensory perception. “This research enhances our basic understanding of how interconnected different regions of the brain are,” said Lars Muckli, PhD of the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Glasgow.
Such data also helps explain certain auditory wonders like the McGurk Effect, the Tritone Paradox, and the Shepard Tone Illusion. Check out this video from AsapSCIENCE for more about the amazing science behind hearing:
So can you trust what you hear? You most certainly can — there’s just more going on than meets the ears. Follow us on Pinterest for additional fun facts and frequent updates about hearing.
About the author
Dr. Woods Hearing Center is operated by audiologist Dr. Jessica L. Woods, who has been bringing hearing care to the NH area since 2003. She specializes in diagnostic testing and treatment for both adults and children, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), sudden hearing loss and early intervention. She takes pride in educating her patients regarding causes, prevention and how different degrees of hearing loss will affect communication. For more information, please visit www.drwoodshearing.com or call 603-889-7434.