News > Why do we stop exploring new music as we get older?

Why do we stop exploring new music as we get older?

The thrill of discovering new songs and new sounds can enrich people of all ages. Academics use the term "open-earedness" to describe our willingness to explore new music. Until around the age of 11, children are generally happy to engage with unfamiliar music. Early adolescence sees a reduction in open-earedness, but is accompanied by an intense increase in interest in music more generally. A major 2013 study involving more than 250,000 participants confirmed these changing behaviours.