Preterm Infants Responded Favorably to Male Voices
A recent study found that preterm infants showed higher brain activity in response to male voices than female voices.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Babies
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Researchers studying preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit found that male voices, particularly those of fathers, elicited higher Delta-band power in the infant cortex. The findings challenge the long-held hypothesis of maternal dominance in auditory brain development for infants.
Why it matters
The results suggest that fathers may play a more significant role in neonatal intensive care than previously understood. This evidence shifts the perspective on who impacts auditory development during the critical early stages of an infant's life.
Researchers measured Delta-band power in the infant cortex using EEG during exposure to four distinct facilitators. The study utilized four facilitators in the trial, comparing responses to mothers, fathers, and two professional music therapists.
The details
The study recorded brain activity while infants heard stimuli from their mothers, fathers, and female and male music therapists compared to a baseline of silence. Data revealed that the father's voice elicited the highest Delta power during lullaby stimulus, while the combined male voices performed better than the female counterparts.
Timeline
The study results were published on October 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
This study marks a significant departure from the established hypothesis of maternal dominance in auditory brain development. It signals a shift in how medical experts view the role of fathers and male voices in supporting neonatal intensive care environments.
Parents of preterm infants may consider the active inclusion of fathers during vocal interactions in the NICU. This finding encourages families to prioritize diverse vocal stimulation, including male voices, as part of a daily bonding and development routine.
The takeaway
This study highlights the importance of incorporating fathers more intentionally into the neonatal care environment. Parents can implement these findings by ensuring infants receive varied auditory input from multiple caregivers during their earliest days.
Further reading
Learn more about early childhood development and infant care research in our Babies section.
More information
View the details of the study at the Registered clinical trial entry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
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