Instead of the traditional focus on the role of blinking in moistening the eyes and vision, researchers have come to see it as a silent tool used by the brain to regulate the flow of information. Many believe that blinking is merely an automatic action, like breathing, that carries no meaning and passes by unnoticed amidst the details of an ordinary day. However, a recent study has challenged this common perception to reveal what lies behind this simple movement: subtle signals about the brain's work and its concentration. It turns out that blinking is not a random act, but a direct reflection of the amount of mental effort being expended during listening, especially in environments crowded with noise. Researchers sought to understand the relationship between blinking and the cognitive processes associated with listening.
