Most people know what long term and short term memory is, but auditory memory is something that isn’t quite as well known. The brain creates memories in a number of different ways, and at any point in time you may remember something as a result of having:

· Touched it

· Seen it

· Tasted it

· Smelled it

· Heard it

When the information that is added to your brain is done so using your sense of hearing, it is called auditory memory.

The Importance of Auditory Memory

Auditory memory is extremely important, especially for students. It is auditory memory that allows a student to listen to a teacher and recall what was said. For others, though, it is equally essential. After all, much of your life may rest on recalling what your boss suggested.

Children and adults who have a difficult time remembering what they are told vocally are said to have an Auditory Processing Disorder, or APD. Auditory Processing Disorders are often associated with other learning disabilities, such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), but may also occur when there are no other learning disabilities present.

Memory Activities to Help Auditory Processing Disorder

There are some ways that you can increase auditory memory skills. The first thing you need to do is be able to focus. The majority of memory is improved by simply being able to focus correctly. Before you begin any auditory memory activities, make sure that the setting is optimal for the activities. Make sure that the background noise is as low as it can possibly be so that focusing is easier. Try to have your activities in a room where there is little visual stimulation as well. This way the focus can truly be on the auditory stimulation and memory instead of the visual stimulation and memory.

First, start with something simple. For example, at least once per week, many radio stations devote an hour or so to a top ten countdown of songs. Test yourself by listening to this program each week. At the end of the program, can you list all of the songs and the artists in the order they were played? Often radio stations post the playlist to help check your skills.

Use audio books to help increase your auditory memory. Recordings of radio shows from the golden age work well too. Stop at intervals during the program to help test your memory of what has already occurred in the show or book.

Also, there are a number of software programs, books, and CDs designed to help adults improve their auditory processing skills, and thus, their auditory memory capacity. Evaluate each carefully before you make a choice, though, because some exercises may work better than others to meet your individual needs.

If you’re helping a child to increase his or her auditory memory skills, these are good tips, but there are a few others as well. First, in addition to the above activities intended to help you focus, itt is also a good idea to make sure that the child is sitting in the correct position – with their feet on the floor and their back straight. This posture makes it easier for them to focus on what you are saying.

The majority of activities that you can do to increase skills in young children involve telling stories. Tell a story that they haven’t heard before. In the beginning, make sure it is a short story. Then, half way through the story, ask them to retell the story back to you. If you have them, you can use puppets as a tool, or you can ask them to draw the story once you’re done reading it together.

Using rhymes is another great way to work on the auditory memory. Rhymes are easier to remember than stories for some children, and they allow the brain muscles to build and stretch. Start with short rhymes and make them fun to repeat. Eventually go to longer and longer rhymes. You can then have the child make up rhymes themselves. Also, don’t forget about songs. Songs are a great auditory tool that you can use to help with a child’s memory.

Auditory memory is important to strengthen, even for adults, so make sure you take the time, even if it’s just a few minutes a day, to work on your auditory memory, as it will also help you build the rest of your memory as well.