Subject: prenatal auditory localization From: Richard Parncutt <richard.parncutt(at)uni-graz.at> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 09:46:45 +0200Newborn infants can localize sound (at least left-right), and show it by turning their head (Morongiello, JASA 1989). The question arises as to whether they are using intensity or phase cues, and whether the ability is somehow innate or already practiced before birth. From the point of view of physics, intensity and phase cues should be available (if somewhat impoverished) before birth, at least in the frequency range in which sounds are audible to the fetus (say, 100-1000 Hz). Does anyone know of experiments to investigate the possibility of fetal sound localization? It might be as easy as studying lots of ultrasound photos. Friendly gynecologists tend to chat to their expectant clients while making ultrasound photos. According to the literature on prenatal hearing, the sound of their voice should be audible to the fetus, although not as loud as the mother's voice. If the fetus can localize, it may turn either toward or away from the gynecologist. To find out if that is that case, one could for example find out whether the gynecologist was on the left or right side of the mother while making the ultrasound photos, and then compare that information with photos in which the orientation of the fetus is clear. Has anyone done anything like that? -- Richard Parncutt, Ph.D., Professor of Systematic Musicology Department of Musicology, University of Graz Mozartgasse 3, A-8010 Graz (Austria/Europe) Tel +43 316 380-2409 or -2405 Fax +43 316 380-9755 <lastname>(at)uni-graz.at http://www-gewi.uni-graz.at/muwi/parncutt