[Fetal audition. Myth or reality].
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or quantitative synthesis
PubMed 18657916 · doi:10.1016/j.jgyn.2008.06.007
What was done
The authors reviewed published scientific literature on the developmental onset, acoustic environment, and functional capabilities of human fetal audition and prenatal auditory learning.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes or statistical data. It describes that functional human hearing begins at approximately 26 to 28 weeks of gestational age. The fetal acoustic environment is dominated by placental noises, maternal organs, and maternal voice. Fetuses demonstrate discrimination of complex external sounds and maternal voice, forming auditory memories that indicate prenatal learning and early implicit musical processing.
Why it matters
It outlines the developmental timeline of fetal sensory capabilities, framing prenatal hearing as an established biological process rather than speculation.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative review without reporting search strategies, study selection criteria, risk-of-bias assessments, or quantitative data. Total sample sizes and study counts are not reported.
Cited by
- supports Human fetuses begin to hear or sense mechanical sound waves in the second trimester.