Pre-Natal Development and Sound Therapy

Sound is the first sense to develop fully. The foetus' ear is ready to perceive sound at 4½ months. The baby listens to its mother's heartbeat, respiration and digestive sounds. Sound Therapy pioneer Dr Tomatis believes that the baby can also hear the mother's voice and becomes familiar with this sound before birth.

Tomatis discovered that, due to the how embryonic ear develops, the first sounds heard in utero are high frequency sounds (above 8,000 Hz).

Effects on the expectant mother

Listening to Sound Therapy during pregnancy soothes the whole body, promoting better sleep, reduced stress, and more energy.

When the expectant mother listens to Sound Therapy during her pregnancy, the benefits which she receives are passed on to the foetus. This is because the effects of Sound Therapy are passed throughout the whole body, as the ear is connected to the vital pneumogastric (Vagus) nerve.

To obtain maximum benefit from Sound Therapy, it is recommended that a pregnant woman should listen to Sound Therapy for 3 hours a day throughout her pregnancy. Listening to Sound Therapy can be done during other activities, so does not require time to be set aside just for listening.

Effects on the infant after birth

Dr Tomatis says the sound of the mother's voice with its familiar tone and rhythm is what provides continuity between the pre-natal and post-natal worlds. The infant is particularly accustomed to the high frequency sounds of the voice as heard in the womb, and therefore has an immediate response of feeling reassured when presented with high frequency sounds filtered to a similar level.

When a child has been born to a mother who has been listening regularly to Sound Therapy, placing the headphones on the baby's ears straight after birth will cause the newborn to immediately stop crying, feeling relieved of the sudden isolation and separateness.

Babies of mothers who listened to Sound Therapy during pregnancy:

• show a distinct lack of tension and anxiety as they grow;
• have an inner peacefulness about them and are less reactive, making them easy to manage;
• feel secure in their relationship with their mother and will go easily to other people; and
• have a natural appreciation for classical music and can continue to benefit from its healing properties.

Studies have shown that children exposed to classical music before birth are more intelligent.

It is also beneficial for these children to listen to Sound Therapy as they grow and this may facilitate their development of communication and languages skills.