How can You Practice Listening while Using Your Memory?

Think of a simple song, like “Twinkle, Twinkle”. Imagine the rhythm of each word, or how you may have sung this to your child or grandchild. 

Were you able to hear the song in your head? You probably did. Your ears, which are transmitters, are not the only thing that allows you to listen. Listening also requires the use of your brain. When you imagine hearing “Twinkle, Twinkle”, this is the practice of listening with your memory.

Listening with Memory

By hearing music in your head can be referred to as auditory imagery, auditory memory, musical imagery, musical memories, or an earworm (when you cannot stop hearing the same tune over and over again). Practicing how to use it is known as “audiation” or “ear training”. 

Auditory memory is similar to remembering your mother or father’s face, the town that you grew up in, or music that you enjoy listening to. No iPhone or mp3 player can store the amount of music that you have in your auditory memory. According to Scientific American each person has approximately one million gigabytes that are available in their head!

If you are a musician, utilizing your mind’s ear can help with your musical instrument performances. You need to begin at the right tempo, fill in any blanks, and “sing” the melodies while playing them so that your phrases have natural breaths in between. 

Use the input, output, and practice, and you can tune out those earworms with helpful music memories. 

Begin by selecting which music you need to remember and then “input” that in your memory. When learning a new piece of music, play it slowly. Repeat each phrase and sing the tune in your head. Repeat this, but remove one or two notes and only hear those in your head. Continue doing this until you can repeat all of it in your mind, without touching the keys.  

If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. 

Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.

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