How the sounds in a hospital affect language development in premature and full-term infants
Official title: The Impact of the Auditory Environment on Auditory Processing of Maternal Voice and Auditory Cortex Maturation in Preterm and Term Infants
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11040305 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the sounds in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) affect how babies, especially preterm ones, hear and understand their mothers' voices, and how this might help their brain develop better for language skills. We're inviting pregnant women and their babies to see if changing the sounds in the NICU can improve language development for these little ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 20, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $161,190 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DC020967-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040305 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women expecting preterm or term infants, particularly those with concerns about language development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose infants are not born prematurely or at term may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the auditory environment in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) influences the way infants process sounds, particularly their mothers' voices, and how this affects the development of their auditory cortex. By examining both preterm and term infants, the study aims to understand the impact of various factors such as gestational age, medical conditions, and maternal stress on language development. The research will involve recruiting pregnant women and their infants to assess how modifying the NICU's sound environment can enhance language outcomes. This approach focuses on promoting brain development during critical periods for language acquisition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved language development strategies for premature infants, enhancing their long-term communication skills.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that modifying auditory environments can positively influence language development in infants, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hammond, Jennifer — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Hammond, Jennifer
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.