Scientists from Italy and Germany discovered that hearing improves almost instantly when one eye is closed – in this way, some sensory organs compensate for the impairment in the function of others. The research was published in the journal Neuro Image.
For this new study, scientists from the MOMiLab IMT School closed one eye of 20 participants and asked them to look at flashes of light and listen for the beeps. Activity in the brain was recorded to the nearest millisecond using an electroencephalogram.
The brains of the blindfolded participants became more sensitive to visual information from the closed eye. The brain also became more receptive to auditory information. As soon as the scientists removed the blindfold from the participants, neural activity changed almost instantly in response to visual and auditory information.
In other words, even the slightest visual impairment is sufficient to cause a change in the balance between vision and hearing.
“Although many studies have shown sensory resilience after prolonged sensory deprivation, as in cases of blindness and deafness, these data demonstrate a high degree of flexibility and interdependence of the senses and the profound impact of sensory experience on our brains on a continuous basis.” scientists recorded.