Playing an instrument makes us better listeners

In the first study of its kind, researchers demonstrated making music significantly alters activity in the areas of our brain associated with hearing. Photo / 123RF

Playing an instrument makes us better listeners by altering our brain waves, new research reveals.

In the first study of its kind, researchers demonstrated making music significantly alters activity in the areas of our brain associated with hearing, reported the Daily Mail.

Study author Dr Bernhard Ross from Baycrest Health Sciences hospital in Toronto, said: "Music has been known to have beneficial effects on the brain, but there has been limited understanding into what about music makes a difference.

"This is the first study demonstrating that learning the fine movement needed to reproduce a sound on an instrument changes the brain's perception of sound in a way that is not seen when listening to music.

"We saw direct changes in the brain after one session, demonstrating that the action of creating music leads to a strong change in brain activity."

How the study was carried out

Researchers from Baycrest Health Sciences hospital in Toronto analyzed 32 healthy adults with normal hearing and no history of a brain disorder.

Their brain waves were measured while they listened to bell-like sounds from a Tibetan singing bowl.

Half of the participants were then asked to recreate the noise on the instrument, while the other half did so by pressing a computer keyboard.

All participants had their brain waves measured again while recreating the noise.

Key findings

Results, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, revealed that playing a sound on the instrument significantly and quickly altered participants' brain waves.

This should lead to improved hearing due to the area of the brain that is affected, the research adds.

The researchers believe this demonstrates the brain's ability to rewire itself and compensate for injuries that may otherwise impair its function.

Dr Ross said: 'Music has been known to have beneficial effects on the brain, but there has been limited understanding into what about music makes a difference.

"This is the first study demonstrating that learning the fine movement needed to reproduce a sound on an instrument changes the brain's perception of sound in a way that is not seen when listening to music.

"It has been hypothesized that the act of playing music requires many brain systems to work together, such as the hearing, motor and perception systems.

"This study was the first time we saw direct changes in the brain after one session, demonstrating that the action of creating music leads to a strong change in brain activity."

The researchers hope to analyze musical treatment compared to physiotherapy in stroke patients, as well as assess music's impact on older adults and those with brain injuries.

LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT BOOSTS BRAIN POWER

Music lessons could be used to help treat children with brain development disorders, such as autism, say researchers.

Brain scans reveal boosted connections in children after just nine months of learning to play an instrument.

Researchers, from the children's hospital Federico Gómez in Mexico City, believe this may improve youngster's development.

Lead author Dr Pilar Dies-Suarez, said: "Experiencing music at an early age can contribute to better brain development, optimising the creation and establishment of neural networks, and stimulating the existing brain tracts.

"When a child receives musical instruction, their brains are asked to complete certain tasks.

"These tasks involve hearing, motor, cognition, emotion and social skills, which seem to activate these different brain areas.

"These results may have occurred because of the need to create more connections between the two hemispheres of the brain."

Music lessons could be used to help treat children with brain development disorders, such as autism, the researchers add.