The Evolving Landscape of Language and Auditory Perception

Understanding Thought: Brainwave Bands & EEG Sonification

Our thoughts, as electrical signals, operate at frequencies far below the human hearing range. To truly "hear" them, a process called **EEG sonification** transforms these low-frequency brainwave patterns into audible sounds, offering a unique window into the mind. This section explores the primary brainwave bands and their associated states of consciousness.

• Delta (0.5–4 Hz): Characterized by very slow, high-amplitude waves, dominant during deep, dreamless sleep and in deep meditative states. They are crucial for restorative processes within the brain.
• Theta (4–8 Hz): Associated with drowsiness, light sleep, REM sleep, deep meditation, and states of creativity or intuition. Often present during daydreaming and when accessing subconscious information.
• Alpha (8–12 Hz): The brain's idling rhythm, prominent during relaxed wakefulness, meditation, and when closing the eyes. It signifies a state of calm alertness and readiness for learning.
• Beta (12–30 Hz): Active, alert, and focused states. Present during problem-solving, decision-making, and conscious thought. Higher beta frequencies can indicate anxiety or over-arousal.
• Gamma (30–100 Hz): The fastest brainwaves, linked to high-level information processing, cognitive functioning, learning, memory, and perception. They are often associated with states of peak performance and "binding" different brain areas together.

While human hearing typically spans from **20 Hz to 20 kHz**, the electrical signals of our thoughts, operating below 100 Hz, are inaudible to the naked ear. By mapping these sub-audible frequencies into the human hearing range through **sonification**, researchers gain new insights into brain activity and consciousness. Learn more about EEG Bands or explore the concept of EEG Sonification (Blankertz et al., 2004).