Pardon me? My brain can't quite hear you…

THE brain rather than the ear could be to blame for the inability to "zoom in" on conversations at noisy gatherings – the so-called "cocktail party" problem, new research suggests today.

A study being carried out by Deafness Research UK scientists at the University College London Ear Institute suggests that the brain appears to play a greater role than was previously thought in the auditory process.

It is hoped the research – looking at the brain's ability to focus its listening attention on a single speaker amid background chatter but at the same time immediately respond if someone calls our name – will benefit the deaf and hard of hearing. In particular, it could aid those with cochlear implants or "bionic ears" and hearing aids, which traditionally struggle in noisy environments.

Vivienne Michael, chief executive of Deafness Research UK, said: "

This research gives us hope for improving not just the performance of implants and hearing aids, but the lives of people with hearing disabilities everywhere."

The UCL team is using a variety of techniques to investigate the issue, including in vivo and in vitro brain recordings, psychophysics, computer modelling and human neurophysiology, using electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Their research has shown it is particularly those with only one functional ear who are more disturbed by interfering noise.