Researchers study brain's use of sight and sound to enhance speech understanding in noise

Researchers at the University of Rochester are studying how the brain combines visual and auditory cues to improve speech understanding in noisy environments. They focus on how lip movements help distinguish similar sounds, like "F" and "S." The team will monitor brainwaves of 250 individuals with cochlear implants using EEG caps. This research aims to understand how the timing of cochlear implant surgery affects reliance on visual information for speech comprehension. Funding from the National Institutes of Health will support this five-year project. Insights gained may lead to advancements in assistive technologies for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.