Effects of the Newborn ICU on Auditory Attention and Distraction
Publication Date
2004
Selected Works Department
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Document Type
Article
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.
File Name
Gray013
Recommended Citation
Gray, Lincoln, "Effects of the Newborn ICU on Auditory Attention and Distraction" (2004). Selected Works. 289.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/selectedworks/289
