Auditory and Cognitive Advantages in Indian Classical Dancers: Evidence from Masking Level Difference, Speech in noise, and Visual Working Memory Tests

Background: Dancers integrate auditory, visual, and motor systems, potentially enhancing their sensory and cognitive abilities. This study investigates whether dance training influences auditory processing and cognitive abilities, focusing on masking level difference (MLD), speech perception in noise (SPIN), and visual working memory (VWM). Materials and Methods: Sixty female participants, including 30 trained dancers and 30 non-dancers, were evaluated. MLD was measured at 500 Hz in homophasic and antiphasic conditions. SPIN was tested across varying signal-to-noise ratios (+5, 0, −5, −10 dB). VWM was assessed using digit span and sequencing tasks. Result and Discussion: Dancers exhibited significantly lower thresholds in both homophasic (SoNo) and antiphasic (SπNo) listening conditions, indicating enhanced signal-in-noise perception, although overall MLD scores did not differ significantly between groups. SPIN performance was superior among dancers across all SNRs except +5 dB, reflecting enhanced efferent system functioning and auditory attention. In VWM tasks, dancers showed significantly better digit span performance, attributed to neuroplastic changes in brain regions associated with visual processing, while no differences were observed in digit sequencing, likely due to task complexity. Conclusion: Dance expertise positively influences auditory processing and VWM. These results underscore the role of neuroplasticity in trained performers and suggest its potential applications for auditory and cognitive training programs.