What is the term for the ability to remember and recall sounds that one has heard?

The ability to remember and recall sounds that one has heard is known as auditory memory. This term specifically refers to the cognitive process involved in retaining and retrieving auditory information. Auditory memory plays a crucial role in various activities, such as language development, music appreciation, and the overall understanding of sound in our environment.

While echoic memory, another option, refers to a type of sensory memory specifically for auditory stimuli that lasts for a very short period, auditory memory encompasses a broader range of recollection capabilities over a longer term. Sound retention is not as widely recognized as a formal term in psychological literature, and rhythmic memory specifically pertains to the ability to remember and reproduce rhythmic patterns, which doesn't fully cover the broader concept of recalling all sounds. Thus, auditory memory is the most precise and appropriate term for this ability.