While it's true that the fetus is relatively protected from much of the external noise outside the uterus, muffled sounds do penetrate the amniotic fluid and reach the developing ears. The cochlea and peripheral sensory organs complete their normal development by twenty-four weeks of gestation. Indications of the maturation of the auditory pathways of the central nervous system are consistently present in ultrasound observations of startle responses to vibroacoustic stimulation after twenty-eight weeks. Most singers and musicians believe this phenomenon to be positive, as their unborn children are exposed to music from an early age every time they sing, rehearse, or perform with their bands.
However, recent studies have shown that fetuses regularly or repeatedly exposed to excessively high noise levels, continuous noises louder than 80 dB, such as heavy traffic, on a continual basis (for example, eight hours a day) or 115dB, such as those produced by very loud music, for periods of 15 consecutive minutes or longer, can actually suffer hearing damage (high-frequency hearing loss), which can be associated with an increased risk of prematurity, delay or restriction of intrauterine growth, and low birth weight.
Appropriate sound levels can be difficult to determine by ear alone. If a singer is not in the habit of wearing hearing protection and is not bothered by sound levels that others would find excessive, it is likely that she has already suffered damage and acquired permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless, but, unfortunately, it is also permanent. Once damaged, the auditory nerve and its sensory cells do not regenerate, so it is always a good idea to wear ear protectors, at least during rehearsals. It would be wise to invest in a dB meter, which measures the true intensity of a sound wave and will provide an accurate and objective measurement of noise levels in the rehearsal space. These levels might be greater if the rehearsal space is small and enclosed.
If rehearsing with a band that typically plays at higher volume levels, it would be in the baby's interest to ask musicians to lower their sound levels for a few months just during rehearsals. Considering the duration and frequency of rehearsals and performances will help determine exactly what adjustments need to be made to sound levels. Some exposure to loud noises is safe, so an occasional concert or evening out should not pose a problem, but such exposure should be infrequent and of relatively short duration.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to Voice and Language disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts
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