Being able to process and remember sounds is an important function of the brain. This ability helps people learn, communicate, and recall information. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how auditory memory works, how sounds are processed, and a few ways that people can help strengthen their auditory memory.
Auditory memory, or auditory recall, is the brain’s ability to be able to process and recall sounds. It works in three stages: encoding/processing, storage, and retrieval.
Encoding is the process by which sound waves travel through the ear to the brain. When they reach the brain, these sound waves are processed and interpreted as information.
Storage is the next stage. This is when the brain decides whether it needs this information stored for the long term or short term.
Finally, retrieval when a person can access their stored memory of the sound. For example, when a person remembers the information they heard in a conversation, they are retrieving stored sound.
Below are the primary types of auditory memory and how each one functions.
How long is sensory memory? Sensory memories are very quick and only last for a few seconds. Even though these memories are quick, they are very detailed. The information gathered in your sensory memory then moves into your short-term memory.
People may want to improve auditory memory for several reasons. Auditory memory activities can help with academics, communication, and overall daily functioning. Below are some examples of auditory memory games that adults and children might benefit from when looking for strategies to improve auditory memory.
There are many strategies to improve auditory memory. Auditory memory activities for adults are one example, and many of these are available to play online. Auditory memory games for adults involve being able to recall verbal instructions or the sequence in which sounds are made or words are said. Listening to classical or instrumental music is another activity that may help with memory and concentration.
Although it is not the same as playing a specific game to improve auditory memory, listening to classical music can stimulate certain parts of the brain that deal with memory, decision-making, and other functions.1
In addition to adults, there are auditory memory activities for kids. Many of these can be played with a teacher or other kids, making them great auditory memory activities for preschoolers or for children in classroom settings.
One example is telling a story and asking a child to repeat certain details of the story back to you. Another example is playing a “chaining” game. This is where someone starts a sentence, and players repeat the sentence but keep adding on to it. This is a way for children to practice repeating what they’ve just heard.
What is the difference between auditory memory vs. visual memory? Auditory memory, as we’ve been exploring, is memory that is gathered and stored from hearing sounds or information. Visual memory is memory that is gathered and stored from seeing images, words, or other information. Have you ever heard the terms “visual learner” or “auditory learner”? These terms refer to whether people can better process and recall information from seeing it vs. hearing it. Relatedly, iconic and echoic memory are both types of sensory memory. As explained earlier, echoic memory refers to a very short memory of a sound you have just heard. Iconic memory is the same thing, only it relates to something you have just seen.
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Different memories are stored in different areas of the brain. Auditory memories are stored where the brain processes auditory information. This is called the auditory cortex. The auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe of the brain.2
Why is auditory processing and memory so important? Being able to understand and make meaning out of what you’re hearing is a crucial part of a person’s development. This is necessary for language skills, literacy, and much more.
An auditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition where a person struggles to process or understand speech. This is not because there is damage to the person’s ear. Rather, this is because their auditory cortex struggles to make sense of the sound. Does auditory processing disorder affect memory? Yes, auditory memory difficulties can certainly arise in people who struggle with APD. Some people may find assistive listening devices helpful for APD.
It’s also important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of short-term auditory memory disorder, especially in young children, as this can affect their educational and behavioral development. Some of these symptoms include mishearing words or sounds, difficulty following directions, and difficulty following along with conversations.
1. “Can Classical Music Make You Smarter? Exploring the Science and Stories Behind Musica and the Mind.” La Mirada Symphony. April 11, 2025. https://www.lamiradasymphony.com/project/can-classical-music-make-you-smarter-exploring-the-science-and-stories-behind-music-and-the-mind/
2. Cohen, Michael A et al. “Auditory recognition memory is inferior to visual recognition memory.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 106,14 (2009): 6008-10. doi:10.1073/pnas.0811884106. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2667065/
3. Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al., editors. Neuroscience. 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2001. The Auditory Cortex. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10900/
4. Plakke, B, and L M Romanski. “Neural circuits in auditory and audiovisual memory.” Brain research vol. 1640,Pt B (2016): 278-88. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2015.11.042. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4868791/
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