Have headphone's sound any impact on human's brain?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential effects of prolonged headphone use while listening to music on the human brain, particularly focusing on memory and cognitive functions. Participants explore various scenarios, including continuous listening for extended periods and the implications of such habits on mental health and cognitive abilities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that continuous exposure to music through headphones could have an effect on the brain, though the nature of that effect is debated.
  • One participant raises the concern that listening to music for 15 hours a day could negatively impact memorization and cognitive abilities, comparing it to the effects of sound torture.
  • Another participant notes that while memorization of the song is likely, the overall impact on cognition would depend on other activities and contexts, indicating a need for more research.
  • There are references to the "Mozart effect" and studies suggesting that music can influence learning and memory, though the relevance to continuous listening is questioned.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the long-term effects of such listening habits, with one suggesting it could lead to physical discomfort or mental strain.
  • The discussion includes a comparison to sensory deprivation and its known adverse effects on mental health, raising concerns about the implications of excessive headphone use.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effects of prolonged headphone use. While there is general agreement that there will be some effect, the nature and implications of that effect remain contested and uncertain.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the variability in individual responses to music and headphone use, suggesting that factors such as volume, duration, and context of listening play significant roles in determining effects on the brain.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring the intersection of music, psychology, and cognitive science, as well as those concerned about the implications of prolonged headphone use on mental health.

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Hello!

If a person hear song continuously for 15 hours every day for one year by head-phone then will there be any effect on his/her brain?
 
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Certainly there would be.
Any input has an effect on the brain. That's how you "hear" and "see" things for example.

What are you really asking here?
 
Will it have any negative impact on memorizing ability and cognizance of a brain?
 
Last edited:
Memory:
Well, you'll certainly have memorized the song.
The rest will depend on what else happens - I mean if that is the only activity for 15 hours a day then I would expect some sort of impairment similar to that experienced by sound-torture subjects.

Long term? Probably a negative effect to none.

OTOH: if you are talking about having your tunes playing while you are studying - the effect is highly individual iirc. There has been some research on this - I can have a look I guess.

Congnizance:
... I don't think this has a scientific definition so I cannot comment.

Where is this question coming from?
Have you heard a claim that some sort of music therapy can help you memorize things better?
 
One prediction: he'll probably get physically ill if he hears that song again, if his brain isn't already fried. Wearing headphones 15 hours a day, 365 days probably doesn't do his outer ears any good either.

This sounds like some kind of torture method. People put into sensory deprivation for extended periods (where no or very little external audio-visual or tactile stimuli is permitted) also have been known to be adversely mentally affected by this experience.
 
We really need more context don't we?

I've known some teenagers play music over their headphones 8-10hours a day ... but usually at background levels (for them) and they are also carrying on their regular tasks, and it's not just the same song over and over. There are to many variables to be precise about the effects... but there will be an effect.

Examples - listening to music and learning/memorizing.

"Mozart effect" in boys with learning disorders.
http://pom.sagepub.com/content/27/2/138.short

More to the point:
Psychology today reports:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201007/music-training-helps-learning-memory
... though it's more about deliberately developing cognitive skills.
What about listening to music? Same magazine:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201312/does-music-help-memory
citing: Gold, B. P. et al. (2013) Pleasurable music affects reinforcement learning according to the listener. Frontiers in Psychology. Vol. 4 Article 541. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00541
... almost the kind of thing suggested, but only short term.

I would not expect that commercial products and/or any YouTube mixes would do any better than just listening to music you like.

In terms of torture regimes, it is amazing what subjects remember after 10 days of nothing but Barney I love you ...
 
SteamKing said:
This sounds like some kind of torture method.

In the show Homeland, a suspected terrorist was tortured by being made to listen incessantly to the grindcore band Pig Destroyer. I remember thinking "Hey, that's pretty cool, I'd like that!" No accounting for taste. :smile:
 

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