The healing power of radio
For Dr Amanda Krause, the radio is more than just background noise—it’s a lifeline.
As a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at James Cook University, Amanda explores how everyday music and media experiences shape our lives. Her latest research reveals that for many older Australians, radio is a powerful tool for connection, comfort, and well-being.
“Radio is a companion,” Amanda says. “It’s a voice in the room, a source of information, and a way to feel part of something bigger.”
This sentiment is echoed by many older listeners who participated in Amanda’s research. For them, radio is not just entertainment—it’s a daily ritual, a source of emotional support, and a bridge to the outside world.
From listeners to lifelines
Amanda’s research, conducted in collaboration with Dr Heather Fletcher from The University of Melbourne, draws on interviews with older adult listeners and radio presenters. The findings are clear: radio serves multiple purposes—entertainment, information, and, most importantly, social connection.
Radio, Amanda argues, functions through the interaction of three key components: the presenter, the content, and the listener. Understanding this dynamic is essential for designing programming that supports well-being.
Listeners form relationships with presenters, whose voices bring familiarity and warmth into their homes. These relationships are built over time through consistent engagement and are deeply valued. One participant shared, “It’s like having a friend come in all throughout the day, a different friend at different times.”
This sense of companionship is especially vital for older adults who may live alone or experience social isolation. Presenters also acknowledge the need to create and maintain relationships and promote community through their content and programming.
Radio as a public health tool
Amanda and Heather’s work, supported by the Australian Association of Gerontology, shows that radio can explicitly and implicitly support mental health.
Explicitly, radio provides health-focused segments, emergency broadcasts, and opportunities for listeners to engage with presenters and community services.
Implicitly, it offers a consistent presence in people’s lives—a comforting voice, a familiar routine, and a sense of belonging. “Even solitary listening can feel social,” Amanda says. “It’s a way to combat loneliness and foster a sense of connection.”
The low-cost, accessible nature of radio, combined with its wide reach and diverse content, makes it uniquely positioned to contribute to public health efforts.
Whether it’s through music that lifts the mood, talkback shows that foster dialogue, or news segments that keep listeners informed, radio offers a non-pharmacological, arts-based approach to promoting wellbeing.
Championing radio for healthy ageing
Amanda’s work has already begun to influence how we think about ageing and media.
To help community organisations, aged care providers, and broadcasters harness the potential of radio as a widely accessible wellbeing intervention, Amanda has co-designed a brochure with and for the community: “How Radio Can Support Older Adults’ Wellbeing”. The brochure offers easy-to-action suggestions for incorporating radio into everyday life and outlines the research benefits of regular listening.
To promote healthy ageing through accessible, community-driven solutions, the brochure encourages older adults to explore different types of programming, engage with local stations, and use radio as a tool for emotional and social support.
As Australia’s population ages, Amanda’s research offers a timely reminder: sometimes, the most powerful interventions are the simplest. A familiar voice on the radio, a favourite song, a moment of connection—these everyday experiences contribute to our well-being.
Featured researcher
Dr Amanda Krause
Senior Lecturer, Psychology
As a music psychology scholar based at James Cook University, Dr Amanda Krause studies how we experience music in our everyday lives. Her research asks how our musical experiences influence our health and well-being.
Amanda is the author of numerous academic publications and currently serves as President of Australian Music & Psychology Society (AMPS). She has also spoken on her research to students, academics, and industry leaders around the world, and to members of the general public via radio show appearances and events like Pint Of Science.
Her current research collaborations explore the role of the radio in promoting individual and community wellbeing.