Silence can be a beautiful, healthy sound

Silence is golden . . . particularly for your brain.

      So, if you inundate yourself with noise almost every waking moment, be that from a TV, music player, talk radio, podcasts or other sources, this is not good news.  These days, there are plenty of folks who grow restive or ill at ease when in silence.  Essentially, they have trained their brains to need constant auditory stimulation, at least of their own making, so in its absence, a kind of psychological withdrawal kicks in.

      This is not the case for folks with hyperacusis, a neurological condition that leaves one unusually sensitive to normal environmental sounds, particularly from sources other than one’s self.  For these folks, being in a loud area, such as a rock concert, sports stadium or casino, can be agonizing.

      Well, it turns out those with hyperacusis are like canaries in the coal mine.  Their brains are warning us all that loud noises are destructive to well-being, even from so-called normal sounds, such as freeway traffic or the din of an eating establishment with music and TVs booming.  That’s what reliable research is telling us.

      Even folks who welcome noise — loud tunes, blaring TV, roaring motorcycle, urban hustle and bustle — can experience deleterious impacts from auditory exposure, and I’m not just talking about hearing loss.  So-called noise pollution correlates with elevated cortisol (stress hormone), high blood pressure, sleep disturbances and increased risk of heart attack, among other unhappy consequences.

      Without periods of silence, the brain cannot activate its “default mode network.”  When in this mode, we are able to daydream, fantasize, imagine, contemplate and meditate.  What’s more, this state of mind supports creativity, self-awareness, empathy and thoughtful decision-making. 

      Loud noise, whether self-induced or imposed from another source, ejects us from this mind-set into a distracted and hyperactive state, not unlike attention deficit disorder.  In some folks, this degree of agitation can even lead to anger and increased aggressiveness.  So, noise not only interferes with cognitive functioning and emotional well-being but also prosocial behavior.

      So, how much waking time do you spend in silence?  For most of us, the answer is very little.  Yet, we know that periods of quiet offset all the deleterious impacts from noise pollution.  Trouble is, silence isn’t easy to find. 

      But what about pleasing sounds, such as chimes, waves on the shore, birds chirping, soft music, etc.?  Well, they are far better than loud noises, but it is silence that best facilitates the brain’s entry into its default mode and the stress-relieving and cognitive-enhancing effects this engenders.

      Efforts to address this need include silent retreats, meditation, nature treks, and even noise-canceling headphones and sensory deprivation tanks, meaning many folks are looking for what resides in the “sound of silence.”

      Mozart said, “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.”

      Perhaps also, well-being is not in the sounds one makes or hears but in the quiet interludes separating them.

Philip Chard is a psychotherapist, author and trainer. Email Chard at outofmymind@philipchard.com or visit philipchard.com.