Eye gaze, pupil dynamics, and head movements as markers of communication difficulty in noise
Abstract
55 Communicating in noisy environments is a persistent daily challenge. Understanding
56 behaviour adaptations to such auditory conditions has broad implications, including for
57 intervention strategies and the development of hearing technologies. Here, we investigate
58 eye gaze, pupil dilation, and head movements as potential behavioural and physiological
59 markers of perceived communication difficulty in noise.
60 Fifty-two participants (26 pairs) with typical hearing engaged in naturalistic
61 conversation while exposed to ecologically valid background noise scenes via headphones
62 (office: 60 dB SPL, cafe: 70 dB SPL, food court: 80 dB SPL, party: 87.5 dB SPL).
63 While speaking in the loudest noise condition, participants showed a modest increase
64 in gaze allocation towards the eye region of their communication partner. Across all noise
65 conditions, gaze toward the partner was increased during instances of listening compared
66 to speaking. Pupil dilation increased with background noise level; this difference held over
67 the experimental time course. Moreover, pupil dilation was greater when participants gazed
68 at the partner’s eye and during instances of speaking. Head movements increased both with
69 rising background noise levels and during speaking.
70 These findings demonstrate distinct behavioural and physiological responses to
71 communication challenges in noisy environments, highlighting their potential as indices of
72 communication difficulty.
56 behaviour adaptations to such auditory conditions has broad implications, including for
57 intervention strategies and the development of hearing technologies. Here, we investigate
58 eye gaze, pupil dilation, and head movements as potential behavioural and physiological
59 markers of perceived communication difficulty in noise.
60 Fifty-two participants (26 pairs) with typical hearing engaged in naturalistic
61 conversation while exposed to ecologically valid background noise scenes via headphones
62 (office: 60 dB SPL, cafe: 70 dB SPL, food court: 80 dB SPL, party: 87.5 dB SPL).
63 While speaking in the loudest noise condition, participants showed a modest increase
64 in gaze allocation towards the eye region of their communication partner. Across all noise
65 conditions, gaze toward the partner was increased during instances of listening compared
66 to speaking. Pupil dilation increased with background noise level; this difference held over
67 the experimental time course. Moreover, pupil dilation was greater when participants gazed
68 at the partner’s eye and during instances of speaking. Head movements increased both with
69 rising background noise levels and during speaking.
70 These findings demonstrate distinct behavioural and physiological responses to
71 communication challenges in noisy environments, highlighting their potential as indices of
72 communication difficulty.
