Hearing loss affects communication, learning, independence, and social well-being. While cochlear implants have transformed treatment for severe hearing impairment, they require surgery and are often associated with post-operative complications. They also rely on electrical stimulation, which can limit their precision. Researchers are therefore exploring whether applying optical neural stimulation through brain-machine interfaces can mitigate these limitations. However, the effect of laser stimulation applied through the tympanic membrane is largely understudied.

Ever wondered how some people seem able to keep up with the conversation they’re having while also noticing what’s being said across the room? New research suggests this ability isn’t simply good hearing but that it may reflect the brain’s remarkable capacity to briefly process more than one conversation at once.

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that, for a short period of around one to two seconds, the brain can begin following a new conversation before it has fully let go of the previous one. The findings, published in leading international journal PLOS Biology, challenge the long-held view that we can only focus on one speaker at a time.

The discovery may help explain why some people are particularly good at navigating busy social situations, whether that’s discreetly picking up useful information, keeping an ear on an important announcement, or deciding whether another conversation is worth joining without completely losing track of the one they’re already in.