Story perspectives

Study Finds Heart-Rate Sync Peaks Near Teammates, Drops in Noise

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Hanlu He’s team recorded heart-rate synchrony among participants in close proximity during three New York City trips.
The sample included 72 students (19-32 years old, 60 men) recruited via Oticon’s Audio Explorer Challenge.
Participants wore hearing-aid devices logging sound, wristbands measuring heart rate, and smartphones tracking GPS from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Synchrony rose when people were near each other, peaked among teammates, and fell during very high ambient noise.

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Story summary

Hanlu He’s team recorded heart-rate synchrony among participants in close proximity during three New York City trips.
The sample included 72 students (19-32 years old, 60 men) recruited via Oticon’s Audio Explorer Challenge.
Participants wore hearing-aid devices logging sound, wristbands measuring heart rate, and smartphones tracking GPS from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Synchrony rose when people were near each other, peaked among teammates, and fell during very high ambient noise.