These sounds could soothe your restless brain

Studies suggest certain kinds of music can improve focus, especially among those with ADHD.

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Like many children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Jake Sussman struggled in elementary school, especially in areas that required quiet concentration, like reading.

“I’m very sensitive to sound, so the smallest noises can be distracting,” says the now-30-year-old, who was diagnosed in sixth grade. “Silence is sometimes loud for me.”

After the diagnosis, Sussman’s parents switched him to a school that specialized in helping students with learning differences. His mom also started playing brown noise to help him relax or fall asleep, after she read that low-frequency (lo-fi), deep rumbling sounds—like heavy machinery or strong rainfall—can soothe those with ADHD.

Research into the effects of sound on brain activity, especially when it comes to promoting rest and focus, has come a long way in recent years. While experts are confident that a link exists, there is still much to be discovered. 

In the meantime, it’s hard to know what kind of music will have what kind of effect on what kind of person—but the existing research does suggest the impact can be especially profound on those with ADHD or some ADHD-like symptoms.  

Unconventional music with unconventional effects

Sussman’s ability to focus dramatically improved in college when he started working while listening to very specific sounds. He explains that lyrics, tempo changes, and track changes can pull his focus—meaning that conventional music often proves distracting.

“I found if you combine movie score music with some brown noise in the background, I can lock in for hours,” he says. “The beat of it helps me work in a rhythm, and I need to have this internal rhythm as I’m focusing. Otherwise I’m going to stop whatever I’m doing.”

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