Improved Auditory Function Caused by Music Versus Foreign Language Training at School Age: Is There a Difference?

ABSTRACT: In adults, music and speech share many neurocognitive functions, but how do they interact in a developing brain? We compared the effects of music and foreign language training on auditory neurocognition in Chinese children aged 8-11 years. We delivered group-based training programs in music and foreign language using a randomized controlled trial. A passive control group was also included. Before and after these year-long extracurricular programs, auditory event-related potentials were recorded (n = 123 and 85 before and after the program, respectively). Through these recordings, we probed early auditory predictive brain processes. To our surprise, the language program facilitated the children's early auditory predictive brain processes significantly more than did the music program. This f

SUBMITTER: Tervaniemi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8634570 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature