Why is absolute silence deafening?
Have you ever experienced entering a room where there is a complete lack of noise? A deafening silence that's dreary and unearthly greets you.
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan
How you perceive absolute silence is actually your brain's work. Our brain is used to the constant stimulation around us. It has become our brain's adaptive mechanism to silence the background noises we use to hear in order for us to be able to focus on the things we do.
In this case when you're brain suddenly stops receiving sound stimulation, your brain doesn't stop processing your sensations. In fact, with the sudden absence of sound, your brain is startled.
This sudden change in noise level demands that your brain adapt to it, however, since it comes all of a sudden, you are left with this deafening feeling that seems to engulf your entire senses. It's an unfamiliar situation that feels uncomfortable.
Our brain is wired in a way that it fills in the gap. Have you experienced listening to a music, but was suddenly cut off and yet you still hear the melody in your head? Your brain subconscious predicts what's next, but when it fails to do so, you are bombarded with unease.
Silence isn't all that bad
Silence have positive effects to our mental and physical health. A research by I. Kirste and colleagues reveals that 2 hours of silence each day paves the way for the creation of new brain cells in the hippocampus. On the other hand, too much noise in our daily life can lead to cardiovascular problem and sleep deprivation.
Resource:
I. KirsteZeina, et al. Is silence golden? Effects of auditory stimuli and their absence on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Brain Struct Funct. 2015 Mar;220(2):1221-8. doi: 10.1007/s00429-013-0679-3. Epub 2013 Dec 1.
Have you ever experienced entering a room where there is a complete lack of noise? A deafening silence that's dreary and unearthly greets you.
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| Why is absolute silence deafening? |
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan
How you perceive absolute silence is actually your brain's work. Our brain is used to the constant stimulation around us. It has become our brain's adaptive mechanism to silence the background noises we use to hear in order for us to be able to focus on the things we do.
In this case when you're brain suddenly stops receiving sound stimulation, your brain doesn't stop processing your sensations. In fact, with the sudden absence of sound, your brain is startled.
This sudden change in noise level demands that your brain adapt to it, however, since it comes all of a sudden, you are left with this deafening feeling that seems to engulf your entire senses. It's an unfamiliar situation that feels uncomfortable.
Our brain is wired in a way that it fills in the gap. Have you experienced listening to a music, but was suddenly cut off and yet you still hear the melody in your head? Your brain subconscious predicts what's next, but when it fails to do so, you are bombarded with unease.
Silence isn't all that bad
Silence have positive effects to our mental and physical health. A research by I. Kirste and colleagues reveals that 2 hours of silence each day paves the way for the creation of new brain cells in the hippocampus. On the other hand, too much noise in our daily life can lead to cardiovascular problem and sleep deprivation.
Resource:
I. KirsteZeina, et al. Is silence golden? Effects of auditory stimuli and their absence on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Brain Struct Funct. 2015 Mar;220(2):1221-8. doi: 10.1007/s00429-013-0679-3. Epub 2013 Dec 1.
Why is absolute silence deafening?
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