Finger Tapping at 1.8 Hz Boosts Speech Clarity in Noisy Environments: Study

A recent study by French researchers at Aix-Marseille University reveals that rhythmic finger tapping can significantly improve speech comprehension in noisy environments. Published in the journal *Proceedings of the Royal Society B*, the research, led by Noémie Te Rietmolen, Kristof Strijkers, and Benjamin Morillon, explores the connection between motor activity and auditory perception. The study builds on previous work on rhythmic priming, suggesting that engaging the motor system enhances auditory processing. The researchers conducted three experiments with healthy volunteers. The key finding was that tapping at a medium rhythm of approximately 1.8 Hz (two taps per second), corresponding to the average lexical rate of speech, notably improved comprehension of sentences spoken amidst background noise. Further experiments indicated that the act of tapping itself, rather than synchronizing with an external rhythm, was crucial for this effect. Articulating a word before listening to a sentence also yielded similar benefits. The team suggests that finger tapping may synchronize neuronal activity and boost attention, preparing the brain to process auditory signals more effectively. This discovery could lead to practical techniques for enhancing communication in challenging listening conditions, with potential benefits for individuals with hearing impairments or communication difficulties. Further research is planned to investigate the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms and long-term effects.