The temporal lobe of the brain is actually 2 sections, located on the left and right sides of your head behind the ears. As you can imagine, it is closely tied to auditory processing and how that information is translated. But it also play an important role in long-term memory and spatial navigation. Of all the areas of the brain, the temporal lobes play many more roles than the others.
The temporal lobe is essential in processing information received from both the eyes and ears. It helps coordinate speech, spatial navigation and is the storage vault for long-term memory. If someone has a stroke on their left side, they may lose the power of language expression. Similarly, a head injury that area can affect memory or language processing. Here are its primary functions:
Auditory Processing
The primary auditory cortex is located here. It takes in everything you hear and processes it. It helps locate a sounds source.
Speech
The left temporal lobe is essential for speech. It handles the mental processing needed for speech, including comprehension and verbal memory. Your ability to orate and recite things from memory come from this part of the brain.
Visual processing
Processing and interpreting information from the visual systems come from the temporal lobes. Vivid or strong memories are stored and recalled here. The neural networks required to perceive and remember objects, faces, detailed settings and scenery all come from here.
Memory
You’ve heard of the hippocampus; it’s found in the temporal lobe. this structure is one of the most crucial parts of the cortex involved in long-term memory retention. It allows you to retain new memories while storing older ones.
Spatial navigation
The ability of an individual to navigate spatially and to physically “remember” a place that the person has been before comes from the temporal lobe. People with a damaged hippocampus often get lost because their brains are unable to process, spatially, where they have been and where they are going.
Neurofeedback is an exceptionally effective way to treat injuries to the temporal lobe. That is because it can train this section of the brain directly. Using sensors attached to the temporal lobe of the brain, neurofeedback can monitor brainwave patterns and help guide them back into normal, healthy patterns. No other brain training method works directly on the areas of the brain like neurofeedback, which is why it can be so effective.
If you or someone you know are having issues related to memory, speech issues or getting lost easily, you should come in and get a non-invasive, 30 minute brain map. In Orlando, this brain map can precisely identify if the temporal lobe of the brain has been impacted. The brain map can also offer a protocol for treatment using neurofeedback.
To learn more about neurofeedback, browse this site or call our office.
