Page 41 - MAY_2017
P. 41
Selective
Hearing
It’s an epidemic
among children,
is there a cure?
BY AIMEE YORK
SOUND FAMILIAR?
As parent’s we often hear ourselves
repeat the same sentences multiple
times a day and end up exhausted
and frustrated with the lack of
response we received from our kids.
Selective hearing is often more of a
colloquial, somewhat amusing term
to describe the mischievous ways
of children. However, when applied
to contexts outside the home and
school, it can lead to challenges
beyond simply learning to listen.
WHAT IS SELECTIVE HEARING?
Our ability to select what we hear
is referred to as the ‘cocktail party
effect’. This was described by British
scientist Colin Cherry in the 1950’s.
It explains our ability to focus on
one person’s voice, and block out
other noise around us. Using this
skill effectively helps us function in
society and select the right source
of auditory noise to listen to.
may 2017 | mychild 41
