Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026
P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
Effects of the neonatal intensive care unit on auditory attention and distraction
Lincoln Gray1, M Kathleen Philbin
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Suite 6.129, Houston, TX 77030, USA. lgray@uth.tmc.edu
Insights
Attention to sounds is crucial for development and changes with background noise. Distractibility rises with less predictable environments and younger ages, impacting infants differently than adults.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Auditory perception
- Cognitive development
Background:
- Auditory attention is vital for normal development.
- Background masking sounds influence attention and distractibility.
- Acoustic predictability of the environment plays a key role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a theory on the importance of acoustic signal attention for development.
- To examine how distractibility varies with acoustic environment predictability and age.
- To review existing literature on attention in different age groups and conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies involving premature neonates, normal infants, children, and adults.
- Theoretical analysis of attention to acoustic signals in varying environments.
- Examination of factors influencing distractibility, including age and environmental predictability.
Main Results:
- Distractibility increases as the acoustic environment becomes less predictable and with decreasing age.
- Environments perceived as predictable by adults may be distracting for preterm infants.
- Age and acoustic predictability are significant factors in attentional development.
Conclusions:
- Attention to acoustic signals is fundamental for typical development.
- Acoustic predictability and age significantly modulate distractibility.
- Future research should incorporate acoustic predictability in developmental studies.
Abstract:
A theory is proposed that attention to acoustic signals is important for normal development and varies with background masking sounds. Specifically, the theory states that distractibility increases with decreasing predictability of the acoustic environment and with decreasing age. Literature from premature neonates, normal infants, preadolescent children, children with attention deficit disorders, and adults is reviewed. One conclusion is that an environment perceived by adults as predictable may be distracting for preterm infants. One recommendation for future research is to include measures of background acoustic predictability as independent variables or covariates in developmental studies.
