Auditory processing works in a structured, step-by-step manner, in contrast to the expansive nature of visual processing, which can absorb large volumes of information at once. Think of auditory processing like listening to a voice message—it’s sequential—whereas visual input is more like absorbing an entire image in a glance. Though it may handle less information at once, auditory processing offers its own unique and valuable strengths.
Two Types of Auditory Processing
There are two distinct forms of auditory processing related to how the brain interprets sound:
- External sounds like voices, music, and environmental noise.
- Internal sounds such as our internal dialogue or self-talk.
These two types are reflected in eye movements as well—when we are processing external sounds, our eyes move differently than when we are engaged in internal dialogue.
Brain Function and Sound
Language and tonal processing occur in different parts of the brain. Language tends to be a function of the left hemisphere, which is why damage to this area, such as from a stroke, often affects speech. Interestingly, many stroke survivors can still sing or hum even if their ability to speak is impaired—this is because tone and melody are typically processed in the right hemisphere. Music and melody can even be used as a tool in speech rehabilitation.
When we talk about auditory system processing, we’re referring more to the tonal qualities of sound—pitch, rhythm, volume—not just the words themselves.
Our Primal Connection to Sound
Consider how we communicate with animals. They respond more to how something sounds—the tone and rhythm—than to the specific words. For instance, a dog may understand “Walkies!” or “Want a treat?” not because it comprehends language, but because of the excited tone, intonation, and repetition.
This also reflects how we process tone outside of conscious awareness. You might have experienced someone saying all the “right” words, but something felt off because their tone didn’t match their message. That discomfort often stems from the nonverbal cues in their voice.
Before we ever learned to speak, we were attuned to the emotional tones of voices. As infants, we could sense approval, comfort, or displeasure simply from the way sounds were delivered.
Auditory Awareness and Communication
Much of our unconscious perception of others comes from auditory information. This includes tone, rhythm, pace, and pitch—cues that help us assess situations and emotions quickly. As children, we could sense whether or not it was a good moment to ask for something just by the way someone sounded.
Auditory awareness is a powerful skill. Those with a keen sense of sound often excel in areas like:
- Music and rhythm
- Poetry and spoken word
- Tuning into subtle shifts in tone during conversations
- Sound-based problem-solving (e.g., mechanics who detect engine issues just by hearing)
Common Auditory Language Patterns
People who rely on auditory processing often use language tied to sound, such as:
- Hear, listen, sounds like, resonates, rings a bell, loud, silent, echo, noise, voice, hum, tune, hush, mute, ask yourself.
Traits of Auditory-Oriented Individuals
Someone with a preference for auditory system processing might:
- Focus more on the tone of voice than on the words themselves.
- Speak at a moderate, rhythmic pace with a melodic or resonant tone.
- Breathe from deeper in the diaphragm.
- Prefer talking things through and asking questions.
- Be highly sensitive to noise and may find it distracting.
- Not notice visual details as easily.
- Favor phone conversations over face-to-face interactions.
- Be more attuned to background sounds and changes in auditory rhythm.
Eye Movement Indicators
Auditory processors often exhibit side-to-side eye movement. You might also notice a subtle head tilt, similar to someone holding a phone, especially when they are deeply engaged in listening or speaking.