EconTalk

Nina Kraus on Hearing, Noise, and Of Sound Mind

Nov 29, 2021
Nina Kraus, a neuroscientist at Northwestern University and author of "Of Sound Mind," discusses the profound impact of hearing on our well-being. She emphasizes how our auditory experiences shape our identities and health, urging a reevaluation of sound's importance. The conversation explores brain processing of sound, the effects of noise pollution, and the benefits of musical training for cognitive function. Kraus highlights the necessity of understanding our sonic environment to enhance communication and overall mental acuity.
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INSIGHT

The Undervaluing of Sound

  • People undervalue hearing, prioritizing sight in our visually-biased world.
  • Sound's invisibility, like gravity, contributes to this underappreciation.
INSIGHT

The Sonic Mixing Board

  • The brain rapidly converts air pressure into electrical signals, interpreting sound's ingredients.
  • These include pitch, timbre, harmonics, and loudness, shaped by our sonic experiences.
ANECDOTE

Bills and Pills

  • The 30-millisecond difference between "Bill" and "Pill" shows sound's complexity.
  • Languages like Hindi and Armenian have pre-voicing, unheard by untrained English speakers.
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