Sound boxes (Nature Sounds, etc.) should not be played in infants’ beds.

Concerns include:

• Volume. If an adult can hear the noise while standing at the baby’s bedside, the volume may be inappropriately loud for the baby lying right next to the sound box. If placed in an isolette, the volume may be excessively loud without an adult able to detect the problem. Volume in excess of 70 – 85 decibels can permanently impair an infant’s hearing.

• Developmental issues. Between 24 and 40 weeks, the fetus/preterm infant develops central auditory neurologic pathways. These pathways were designed to develop by listening to human voices and speech. Exposure to repetitive sounds (waterfalls, white noise, etc.) may cause abnormal development of the auditory cortex and life-long impairments in auditory processing.

For these reasons, Vanderbilt caretakers should not play sound boxes in infants’ beds.

Tapes playing recordings of human voices and music are developmentally-friendly; therefore tape players may be used, still the volume should be monitored closely. If they desire, parents should be encouraged to provide baby tapes of classical music as these recordings are more developmentally-appropriate than recordings designed for adults.

References:

Graven, S. NICU Care and Brain Development. Hot Topics in Neonatology, 2000.

Discussed/resolved at Nursery Policy & Procedure Meeting 1/17/01.