January 28, 2025

258 - Exploring the Relationship between Hearing Loss and Musicality: Insights from the Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab

30 minutes

How are hearing loss and musicality connected? In a recent conversation, Brian Taylor spoke with Dr. Srishti Nayak, a researcher at the Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab, to explore the relationship between hearing and musical abilities. Dr. Nayak discussed emerging research on how musical engagement may support hearing health and introduced the MAPLE framework, which suggests that musical skills, language abilities, and hearing are intertwined through genetic and behavioral factors. The discussion examined how hearing loss can affect musical experiences and whether musicality might help preserve auditory function over time.

She highlighted emerging research indicating that musical engagement may play a role in supporting hearing health and mitigating the effects of hearing loss. The discussion also examined how hearing loss can impact a person’s ability to engage with music, affecting both perception and enjoyment. Dr. Nayak emphasized the importance of understanding these relationships, as musical training could offer potential benefits for auditory function. Her insights contribute to a growing body of research that seeks to bridge the gap between music cognition and hearing science.

Reference:

Nayak, S., Moberly, A. C., & Tamati, T. N. (2024). Musicality as a Health-Relevant Factor for Hearing Outcomes. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery, 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.4157. Advance online publication.

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