By: Jaime Herndon

Learning how to play an instrument can be more than just a hobby—a new study shows that music training, even as late as high school, can actually be beneficial to the brain. Researchers at Northwestern University found that music training can improve the brain’s response to sound, and even heighten hearing and language skills. The study, which is being published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that learning to play instruments is linked to skills that are involved with academic success.

Students that took music training via band classes showed more response to sound in neurological testing, along with heightened brain sensitivity, when compared to students who only participated in fitness exercises. They also showed improvements in language skills. It is thought that music training helps hone brain development. Processing sound details is important for the development of language skills, and is often lacking in those who are raised in poverty—making music training important in this population.

It’s not too late to hone the brain through music—even teen nieces and nephews can benefit from music training. Cutting music programs in schools can be detrimental in so many ways that can negatively affect academic success as a whole.

Support a niece’s or nephew’s involvement in music training by attending their concerts or taking them to their music classes or picking them up after they’re done. A new instrument may be a smart birthday or holiday gift, or perhaps help their parents send them to music camp next summer. And if you play an instrument, share it with them more often. They may be inspired to take after their favorite aunt.

Photo: monkeybusinessimages
Published: July 27, 2015