Tinnitus, a sound perceived without an external sound source, has been linked to problems such as insomnia, depression and cognitive decline.
Recent studies reveal a surprising connection between high IQ and ringing in the ears, challenging traditional perceptions about this auditory phenomenon. Tinnitus, a sound perceived without an external sound source, has been linked to problems such as insomnia, depression and cognitive decline. However, research indicates that in certain cases, especially in non-Hispanic seniors, tinnitus may be linked to improved cognitive function. This paradoxical relationship can be explained by stochastic resonance, an auditory mechanism that improves speech perception and can reduce cognitive decline in people with hearing impairment.
Based on this and other studies, the CPAH (Heráclito Research and Analysis Center) in collaboration with the GIP (Genetic Intelligence Project) analyzed some project participants and found reports of excellent hearing and tinnitus in volunteers with high IQ.
This finding challenges the traditional understanding that tinnitus is solely harmful, suggesting a complex interaction between tinnitus, sensory perception and cognitive abilities. Research suggests that stochastic resonance, by enhancing speech perception, may have a positive role in preserving cognitive function in some people, despite tinnitus often being accompanied by hearing loss, traditionally associated with cognitive decline.
These findings open new perspectives on how different aspects of our intelligence can influence sensory perception and offer an intriguing avenue for future research at the intersection of cognitive and audiological neuroscience.
Reference: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience article
