Some people can wiggle their ears using ancient muscles
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A recent study has shed new light on the functionality of a seemingly “useless” muscle that allows some individuals to wiggle their ears. This muscle, known as the auricular muscle, is a remnant from our ape ancestors who could pivot their ears. While humans have lost this ability, the muscles and brain neurons associated with it are still present in our anatomy.
Previously considered obsolete, researchers at Saarland University in Germany discovered that these auricular muscles are activated in response to directional sounds. This finding sparked further investigation into whether these muscles play a role in focused listening.
To explore this hypothesis, a group of individuals underwent hearing tests while their auricular muscle activity was monitored. The tests involved listening to an audiobook while additional audio stimuli were introduced to varying degrees of difficulty.
The results revealed that the superior auricular muscle, the largest of the auricular muscles, showed increased activation during tasks that required more concentration. This suggests that these muscles are involved in effortful listening processes.
While the study did not directly assess how this muscle activation impacted listening performance, the findings have implications for the development of hearing aids. By understanding the role of auricular muscles in listening effort, researchers aim to improve hearing aid technology to reduce strain on the listener.
Further research involving larger and more diverse populations is needed to validate these findings and explore the potential applications of auricular muscle activity in assessing listening effort. Addressing factors like age and hearing abilities will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms at play.
Lead researcher Daniel Strauss emphasizes the importance of continued studies to unlock the full potential of these ancient muscles in our modern auditory processes. By delving deeper into this “neural fossil,” researchers hope to enhance our understanding of auditory function and develop innovative approaches to improve hearing assistance technologies.
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