Mar 09, 2026 12:00:00

What is the impact of modern people constantly listening to music? How should we interact with music?

Many people today regularly listen to music that lifts their spirits or sounds that relax them, and some even wear earphones or headphones all day.

Victor Perez , an associate professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University in Liverpool, China, who studies the relationship between music and human cognitive function, explained the effects of modern people's constant listening to music and how to better interact with it.

What the constant sound of modern life is doing to our minds
https://theconversation.com/what-the-constant-sound-of-modern-life-is-doing-to-our-minds-276486

◆ Changes in the relationship between humans and sound
For much of human history, sound has been associated with meaning, emotions, and survival moments: sounds from nature and animals were important for safety and access to resources, while music in rituals and celebrations provided opportunities for community connection and emotional stimulation.

However, Perez points out that in recent years, our relationship with sound has changed. Many people today listen to playlists for work, ambient tracks for studying, podcasts on their commute, background music to calm their minds, and more, and are exposed to some kind of sound almost constantly.

Sound is no longer collective, but personal and portable. The purpose of listening has also changed, from improving concentration to reducing stress. Many platforms offer music labeled 'deep focus' or 'workflow,' designed to improve concentration and productivity.

There are positive aspects to this modern music environment, Perez said. 'In busy workplaces and homes, creating a good auditory environment can help us regain a sense of control and reduce noise, especially from conversations that are easy to hear .' On the other hand, he points out that continuous sound can rob us of the 'silence' that encourages recovery and reflection . 'In a continuous soundscape, it's not just silence that's lost, but also space to think. Daily exposure to nonstop music, conversations, and other sounds can unconsciously shape the way we think, judge, and respond,' he said.

The effects of music on cognitive performance
People may listen to music to improve task performance, but the effects of music on the brain vary depending on the context. For example, in repetitive or low-complexity tasks, music can improve performance by increasing focus and reducing boredom. However, in tasks that require language, problem-solving, or new learning, listening to music can distract attention or make sustained thought difficult.

Previous

research has consistently shown that music with lyrics is likely to interfere with relatively difficult tasks such as reading, writing, and verbal reasoning. Another study suggests that loud background noise may impair auditory working memory performance, which is the ability to retain speech information while filtering out competing sounds.

'When music competes with the demands of a task, it can increase mental effort and fatigue even if outward performance remains unchanged,' Perez said. 'These changes accumulate gradually, so their effects are rarely noticeable. Rather, they shape our default thinking, such as how patiently we think, how quickly we make decisions, and how we respond when the answer is unclear.'

◆Three principles for a happier relationship with sound
Based on

his research into sound and cognition, Perez offers three key principles for designing your sound environment:

1: Change the sound depending on the type of thought
The first principle Perez proposes is to change the sound depending on the task or type of thought you're working on.

For example, lyrical music can be distracting for tasks such as reading, writing, and analysis, so simple music should be chosen for these cognitively demanding tasks. On the other hand, for repetitive or low-complexity tasks, music that you choose or are familiar with has been shown to regulate arousal and enhance focus .

2. Monitor your progress
The second principle is to monitor yourself and change your sound environment. Even if the platform advertises 'music to improve concentration,' if you feel 'distracted,' 'mentally fatigued,' or 'irritated,' you can reset your attention balance by pausing the music and switching to simpler ambient sounds.

'Reducing verbal content, lowering volume, or incorporating brief periods of silence may reduce cognitive load before performance begins to decline,' Perez advised.

3. Implement quiet time
The third principle is to provide quiet time instead of constant listening, which activates the default mode network , which is associated with neural recovery, reflective thinking , memory consolidation, and future planning.

Emphasizing silence doesn't necessarily mean eliminating sound from your life. Perez suggests ways to incorporate moderate silence into your life, such as 'starting complex tasks in silence,' 'taking short silent breaks between activities,' and 'ending the day without listening to anything.' By incorporating quiet time into your life, your brain has the space to reset its focus and recover from long periods of work.