Auditory memory is the ability to process and store information presented orally. Those with poor auditory memory may struggle with language comprehension and reading. It has a genetic basis and can be developed through exercises such as memory games and word associations.
Auditory memory is the ability to process information presented orally, analyze it mentally, and store it for later recall. Those with a strong capacity for this type of memory are called auditory learners. The ability to learn from oral instructions and explanations is a fundamental skill required throughout life.
As one of the most important learning skills, children with poor auditory memory often have difficulty understanding what words mean and may exhibit delayed comprehension of language. This is because phonics requires short-term auditory memory for children to remember the sounds of words and put them together to form words. Also, because many children learn to read by being read to, those with auditory learning disabilities will likely take longer to learn to read, and these delays can be reflected later in life in poor reading and writing skills.
Auditory memory capacity appears to have a genetic basis. About 5% of the population in developed countries have learning disabilities that hinder auditory learning. The disorder tends to run in families and is commonly shared in identical twins. The disorder has also been linked to genetic disorders and developmental disorders.
Parents can test a child’s auditory short-term memory by testing their ability to repeat a sequence of numbers on the tester. A parent can start by saying a sequence of four simple numbers, such as 5-2-8-4, and ask the child to repeat the sequence. If the child is successful, the test sequence can be increased to five numbers and continued until the child is no longer able to repeat the sequence correctly 75% of the time on the first attempt. Children should have the ability to repeat six digits or more to have the ability to learn phonics.
Auditory learning skills can be developed through a series of exercises. Parents looking to develop them in their children can employ a number of simple practices throughout the day. For example, they can ask their children to repeat voice messages aloud, as well as to repeat important information, such as a telephone number and address, to engage them in auditory memory. Parents can also play memory games with their children, such as clapping to a rhythm and asking the child to repeat the sequence. Children can also improve their skills by learning word associations and categorization of words and objects.
The development of hearing skills is not just limited to young children. Older children and adults can sharpen their short-term auditory memory by interpreting verbal cues into written notes. They can also read a sentence or paragraph from a book and explain its contents in their own words or practice repeating sentences verbatim.
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