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What is Auditory Memory?
Auditory memory is the ability to process information presented orally, analyze it mentally, and store it to be recalled later. Those with a strong capacity for this type of memory are called auditory learners. The ability to learn from oral instructions and explanations is a fundamental skill required throughout life.
As one of the most important learning skills, children with weak auditory memory often have difficulty understanding what words mean, and can show a delayed grasp of language. This is because phonics requires auditory short-term memory for children to remember word sounds and piece them together to form words. Furthermore, since many children learn to read by being read to, those with problems with auditory learning will likely take longer to learn to read, and these delays may be reflected later in life with poor reading and writing skills.
The capacity for auditory memory appears to have a genetic basis. About 5% of the population in developed countries has learning disabilities that hinder auditory learning. The disorder tends to run in families and is commonly shared in identical twins. The disorder has also been linked to genetic diseases and developmental disorders.
Parents can test a child’s auditory short-term memory by testing his or her ability to repeat a sequence of numbers back to the tester. A parent can begin by saying a sequence of four simple numbers, such as 5-2-8-4, and ask the child to repeat the sequence back. If the child is successful, the test sequence can be increased to five numbers and continued until the child is no longer able to repeat the sequence correctly 75% of the time on the first try. Children should have the ability to repeat six or more digits in order to have the capacity to learn phonics.
Auditory learning skills can be developed through a number of exercises. Parents looking to develop them in their children can employ a number of simple practices throughout the day. For example, they can ask their children to repeat spoken messages out loud, as well as to repeat important information, such as their phone number and address to commit them to auditory memory. Parents can also play memory games with their children, such as clapping a rhythm and asking the child to repeat the sequence. Children may also enhance their skills by learning word associations and categorizations of words and objects.
Developing auditory skills is not limited to only young children. Older children and adults can sharpen their short-term auditory memory by interpreting verbal cues into written notes. Additionally, they can read a sentence or paragraph from a book and explain the content in their own words or practice repeating sentences verbatim.
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![Learning to read comes easier to children with strong auditory memory.]()
By: Konstantin YuganovLearning to read comes easier to children with strong auditory memory. -
![About 5% of the population has auditory memory learning disabilities, which may be shared by identical twins.]()
By: Svetlana FedoseevaAbout 5% of the population has auditory memory learning disabilities, which may be shared by identical twins. -
![Auditory memory is the ability to process information presented orally and recall it later.]()
By: Barabas AttilaAuditory memory is the ability to process information presented orally and recall it later. -
![Since children learn to read by being read to, those with auditory problems may take longer to learn to read.]()
By: Konstantin YuganovSince children learn to read by being read to, those with auditory problems may take longer to learn to read. -
![A parent can test a child's auditory short-term memory by asking the child to repeat back a sequence of numbers.]()
By: micromonkeyA parent can test a child's auditory short-term memory by asking the child to repeat back a sequence of numbers.
Discussion Comments
A lot of times a sufficient amount of sleep is necessary to working memory. If you go into work on two hours of sleep, it is likely that your recollection of points in a business meeting will be quite limited and your speech will be somewhat slurred from time to time. Getting a good night's sleep is essential to mental upkeep.
Auditory memory training may involve a requirement of recalling key points in a sermon or in a lecture. If you can accurately recall key points without taking notes, this is a very helpful asset for learning and teaching. Note takers rely heavily on writing things down, and are therefore unable to break out of their memory norms. This kind of training requires flexibility.
Auditory memory is a strong factor in learning new language, especially in regards to pronunciation. If you can accurately copy a person's speech and intonations, you can effectively communicate with that person. My mother has a very strong auditory memory, and I can tell who she is speaking with on the phone by how she is speaking. She almost mimics her friends, without any intention of mockery.
Much of history and folklore was passed down orally until it could be written down. Throughout the world, oral stories are passed down from generation to generation, and auditory memory is required for the remembrance of vital tribal customs and techniques for survival. We have a fairly weak auditory memory in the more advanced world, because we rely heavily on writing and computers.
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