Human sound processing begins with the ear, which converts sound waves into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. In the brain, these signals are processed and analyzed to extract information about the sound’s characteristics, such as pitch, volume, and location. This information is then integrated with other sensory inputs to create our perception and understanding of the sound.

It is especially important to understand the sound processing in terms of noise. Unpleasant noise enters the ears and activates the stress detection center in the brain, known as the amygdala. This triggers a series of reactions in the body, including an overproduction of cortisol, adrenaline, and other chemicals by the endocrine system. Additionally, the sympathetic nervous system becomes hyperactivated, resulting in an increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and the release of inflammatory cells. These long-term changes can lead to inflammation, hypertension, and the accumulation of plaque in arteries, raising the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

Echoic memory is the sensory memory for auditory information. When we hear a sound, it is stored briefly before being processed and understood. Unlike visual memory, auditory stimuli are transient and can’t be revisited. Echoic memory serves as a „holding tank” until the next sound is heard and can be given meaning. This memory store retains a significant amount of auditory information for about 3 to 4 seconds, replaying the sound briefly after it is heard.
Echoic memory is vital for grouping individual sound signals into meaningful sequences. In the case of spoken language, echoic memories capture individual syllables, facilitating word processing by connecting each syllable to the preceding one. This process enhances comprehension. Likewise, when listening to music, our brains swiftly retain and link each note together, allowing us to perceive a cohesive song from the sequence of notes.

Several topics are interconnected when considering the relationship between sound and memory. In the past, speech served as the primary means of information transmission and most of all the repository of collective memory. Oral cultures relied entirely on the audibility and voice as their foundation. There was no writing, so sound empowered memory. Based on this foundation, one can speculate about the impact of visual culture on our memory.

Recent research has shown that there is a strong link between hearing loss and memory loss in older people, especially those with dementia. It’s quite simple to understand why. As we get older, our hearing can become worse, and this affects our brain activity. Our brain doesn’t respond as well to sounds, which means we start to lose touch with the sonic world around us. When we can’t hear well, our brain struggles to take in new audio information, and this has a big impact on our memory. However, studies have shown that the use of hearing aids can have a profound positive effect on memory processes in individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s. This correlation is rooted in the brain’s temporal lobe, located behind the ears and plays a crucial role in processing auditory information and storing memories.

see: Sound as a message
in: Perception of sound

Our ears and memory are connected on a daily basis. We collect sound memories every day, some of them endure and can be recalled after a long time. Sound has the remarkable ability to evoke past situations and listening sometimes knows no temporal or spatial limits.