The Healing Power of Sound: Are We Listening or Avoiding?

The Rise of Audio: A Blessing or a Band-Aid?

From morning meditations to evening true crime, our ears are rarely without input. According to Edison Research, over 70% of adults in the U.S. listen to spoken word audio daily, and the average daily time spent on audio consumption exceeds four hours.

But here’s the curious thing: alongside this increase, stress, sleep disturbances, and burnout have all also risen. This begs the question: are we genuinely tuning in to something healing, or are we tuning out from something uncomfortable?

The Inner Voice We’re Avoiding

Stillness can be confronting. Many of us have an unspoken resistance to silence because, in silence, the inner world becomes louder. Unprocessed thoughts rise to the surface. Our to-do lists loom larger. The void of "doing nothing" can feel unbearable in a productivity-obsessed culture. So, we fill the space with wisdom, yes, but also with distraction.

Meditation apps, for example, are marketed as tools for stillness. However, for many users, they become a soundtrack of avoidance. One 2021 study published in Mindfulness Journal noted that while guided meditations reduce anxiety in the short term, long-term benefits are most present in individuals who gradually transition to silent practice.

Podcasts and audiobooks can be deeply nourishing. However, when consumed compulsively—even spiritual content—they may begin to mirror the dopamine loop seen in social media use. That little rush of learning something new or getting inspired can become addictive. It encourages constant input and never integration.

Information Overload vs. Embodiment

Neuroscience supports this notion. A study in Nature Communications found that auditory overstimulation can impair working memory and increase cortisol levels, especially when multitasking. When the brain is in a chronic state of consumption, it spends less time consolidating information into long-term memory or embodying its meaning. This might explain why you can listen to hours of mindset or self-help content and still feel stuck. It’s not that the content is unhelpful; it’s that there’s no space to absorb it.

Unplugging with Intention

One simple shift is to reconsider the way we listen. Most people stream audio through Bluetooth earbuds or noise-canceling headphones. These are undoubtedly convenient. However, there is a growing conversation—and some early research—suggesting that Bluetooth frequency exposure and prolonged EMF (electromagnetic field) contact near the brain may contribute to neurological fatigue, among other worrying health considerations.

A small 2020 study in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine noted that wireless devices worn close to the body could influence the nervous system’s regulatory functions. While more research is needed, anecdotal evidence from sensitive individuals shows that switching to earth-wired (non-Bluetooth) headphones can support clearer thinking and reduced “brain fog.”

Wired listening devices also encourage more conscious use. There’s a slight friction; they remind you to plug in, connect, and be deliberate with your content. This approach prevents mindless streaming as you move from one task to another.

Reclaiming the Space Between

What if the next evolution of your spiritual practice, personal growth, or nervous system regulation didn't require more input—but less? Start noticing when you're reaching for a podcast or guided meditation. Consider whether it is to deepen your connection with yourself or to avoid being with yourself.

Try giving yourself permission to pause before pressing play. Even just 5 minutes of true silence, nature sounds, or conscious breath may offer more insight than an hour-long interview. You don’t have to abandon your audio companions. However, consider weaving in more tech-free reflection, silent sitting, or gentle journaling. Let integration follow inspiration.

Final Thoughts: Listening with Intention

There’s no denying the power of the spoken word. From ancient storytelling to modern audio libraries, we are hardwired to respond to voice and vibration. The deepest wisdom comes not just from what we hear but from what we allow ourselves to feel in the space between the sounds.

So, the next time you’re tempted to fill the silence, ask yourself: Is this feeding my spirit—or numbing my mind? And maybe—just maybe—leave your Bluetooth buds on the shelf, reach for a pair of earth-wired headphones, and give yourself the gift of truly conscious listening.

With Love,

Lizzie

x

Earth Yourself