US scientists have found that even short music lessons in childhood contribute to a better brain response to speech sounds in old age.
Over time, certain changes occur in the human brain that affect hearing changes. In older people, there is a slow reaction to a quick change of sounds. In addition, the ability to respond to changing sounds is an important factor in speech recognition.
Northwestern University professor Nina Kraus, along with her colleagues, conducted an experiment whose purpose was to identify the benefits of engaging in music at an early age for brain activity many years later. Studies have found a direct relationship. The longer a person practiced playing musical instruments in childhood, the faster his brain reacted to speech sounds in old age.
The experiment was attended by 22 people aged 55 to 76 years. Over the past 40 years, none of the participants in the experiment did not make music. However, the response of the brain to the speech sounds of those subjects who studied musical instruments from 4 to 14 years old was somewhat faster. In addition, the longer the classes took place, the faster the reaction to sounds was observed. The difference with other people who took part in the experiment, on average, was a millisecond.
Millisecond is a very small indicator. But during the work and the reaction of the brain to speech, this time period is of great importance. According to Nina Kraus, this study proves the need for music education for children at least to maintain health in the future.
