Want to improve your hearing?

An interesting article in Psychology and Aging describes research that identifies a difference in the hearing of musicians and non-musicians.

It turns out that if you have musical training you cannot hear quiet sounds better than those with no musical training can hear, but on other measures you score more highly.

If you have had musical training (in the research they used people with at least six years) you will be better at discerning speech against background noise, spotting badly tuned music and breaks in a continuous tone.

These are all to do with the way your brain processes the sound you hear. So if you want to be able to hear conversations in a crowded restaurant as you get older, start learning to play an instrument.

Your brain can always be improved. By learning new skills you make new connections in your brain. You can even grow new brain cells (neurons). If you want to grow more, get some aerobic exercise. This increases the release of neurotropic factors. These help you to grow new neurons.

Getting some musical training is just one way to do it. Go here for more ideas on improving your brain.