Playing a musical instrument improves memory and hearing

Research from Northwestern University has found that musical training appears to lessen the declines associated with aging, specifically loss of memory and the ability to hear speech clearly. The cognitive and auditory enhancements that come from playing a musical instrument and having to remember sound sequences, as well as extract relevant patterns in the harmonies and rhythms, help the brain be more adaptable to aging and lessen the decline in memory and the ability to separate speech from background noise.