In this enlightening conversation, we delve into the profound impact of hearing on our development and well-being. We explore how sound shapes our experiences, influences memory, and plays a crucial role in parenting. The discussion emphasizes the importance of intentional listening, the sensory experiences associated with food, and the value of silence in our lives. Through personal anecdotes and practical insights, we highlight the need for nurturing connections and creating safe spaces for children to thrive.
In this episode of Illuminating Being,we explored the fifh sense in our ongoing series—hearing—and how deeply it shapes our experience of nourishment, connection, and well-being. While taste and smell may get more attention in conversations around food, hearing is quietly powerful—literally shaping our nervous system, memory, and emotional safety from the moment we are formed in the womb.
Hearing Begins Before We’re Born
Dr. Somers shared that around 26–28 weeks in utero, babies begin to hear the world around them. Not just voices—but rhythm, vibration, and tone. This early exposure creates the foundation for language, emotion, and sensory trust.
Lullabies, for instance, are more than comforting tunes—they are neurological grounding. The sound of a caregiver’s voice, even more than the words, can create calm, safety, and emotional regulation in infants and children. As Keith put it, we are "sentient beings, interpreting the world through the senses we’re given."
Noise, Silence, and the Nervous System
In today’s overstimulated world, we often equate constant sound with productivity—but noise can be overwhelming. We discussed how intentional listening is different from simply hearing. When our environment is filled with auditory clutter, the brain begins to shut down inputs—it’s a protective mechanism.
One powerful takeaway? Sound bypasses the thinking brain and goes directly into the body. That’s why music, breath, or a familiar voice can immediately calm us when we're anxious. Silence, too, plays a restorative role—it’s in these pauses that our bodies and minds return to balance.
Sound and Memory: A Deep Connection
Perhaps one of the most moving parts of our conversation was when I reflected on caring for my father as he lives with dementia. While much of his cognitive ability has changed, music remains. Songs from his youth—Elvis, Beatles—bring visible joy and familiarity. As Dr. Somers explained, the auditory and memory centers of the brain are side by side, making music a powerful anchor for emotional memory and connection.
This is supported by research showing music can reduce anxiety and agitation in individuals with dementia while improving cognitive engagement.
The Sounds of Food and Togetherness
We tend to associate eating with taste—but what about sound? The sizzle of garlic in olive oil, the crunch of matzo at a Passover table, or even the snap, crackle, pop of cereal—these sounds create memory and anticipation.
We talked about how dinner can become a soundscape: the clinking of dishes, the hum of conversation, or even moments of shared silence. These subtle sensory moments build rhythm and ritual—something many of us are longing for, especially across different ages and stages of family life.
Simple Practices to Tune into Hearing
Three Sound Awareness Practice: Step outside and name three distinct sounds—birds, wind, footsteps. It’s grounding, simple, and powerful.
Drive in Silence: Use your commute to recalibrate. No music, no input—just listen.
Create Sound Rituals Around Meals: Add music to meal prep. Create a quiet meal. Invite kids to listen to sizzling, chopping, stirring. Make space for auditory memories.
Explore Tools Like the Merlin App: Discover bird calls and natural soundscapes in your environment. It makes everyday nature more interactive and joyful.
Hearing is Connection—and It Starts with Ourselves
One theme we returned to again and again is that hearing is our first language of connection, and that includes listening to ourselves. How do you speak to yourself? What’s the tone of your inner voice?
As I shared in this episode, I’ve been learning from my own children that less talking, more presence often leads to deeper connection. Sometimes our desire to teach or fix can crowd out the space where conversation and growth naturally unfold.
Resources & Reflections from Dr. Somers
At the close of our episode, Dr. Somers shared a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh’s How to Eat, reminding us that even children can enjoy silence—especially around meals—when we give them the opportunity. He also recommended the book The Universal Sense: How Hearing Shapes the Mind, a deeper dive into the biology and psychology of sound.
He also highlighted an inspiring story from Forks Over Knives Magazine about a whole-food, plant-based mom and her transformative health journey—proof that lifestyle, environment, and sensory experience all work together in shaping how we live.
Closing Thought
So today, try to find a moment to just listen. Maybe it’s birdsong, the bubbling of soup on the stove, or your child’s voice telling you a story. Tune in not just with your ears, but with your heart.
Because the more we pay attention to what we hear—the more connected, calm, and nourished we become.
