The Effect of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Noise on the Habituation of Neonatal Chicks
Abstract
Prematurely born human neonates may experience weeks, even months, of auditory stimulation different from that known to exist in the uterus. Unlike full term neonates, many preterms do not demonstrate a consistent response decrement (i.e., habituation) to repeated stimuli. Habituation is regarded as an indicator of central nervous system competence. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) noise on the ability of neonatal chicks to habituate. Use of an animal model allowed for examination of this effect in isolation of confounding variables encountered in the population of sick preterm neonates. Neonatal human and chick auditory development is similar in both structural sequence and function at birth. The effects of age, auditory experience, and test condition were tested in a two-by- two-by-two blocked design. Results indicated that 4-day-old chicks exposed to NICU noise failed to habituate to a white noise stimulus. These findings support recommendations for reducing auditory stimulation in the NICU. Although the results of animal research cannot be directly applied to the human situation, such research can indicate areas of potential risk meriting further investigation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA239317
Entities
People
- Diane D. Ballweg
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology