How can everyday sounds aid memory?

At Unforgettable we’re always exploring new ways of improving the lives of those living with dementia. We’ve recently been talking a lot about how music can help reminiscence and access memories that might otherwise be lost, but what about other sounds? Where does the whistle of a steam train take you? Or the crashing waves of the sea?

Working with our friends at the Digital World Research Centre at the University of Surrey, we’re conducting some research into how everyday sounds might be used to help reminiscence activities.

As the first part of this research we would like to invite you to take part in a short survey exploring what everyday sounds are meaningful to you and why. It will take 10-15 minutes of your time and is completely anonymous. The purpose of the survey is to find out what sounds are linked to memories for people with dementia and their family and friends, in order to help design better reminiscence activities. We are specifically interested in sounds that are associated to personal memories and what these mean to you. This will involve answering some questions about everyday sounds, not music, and your memories.

If you would like to take part, please click this link for the survey

If you would like more information, either on this survey or the research as a whole, please contact sarah.campbell@surrey.ac.uk