Preterm Infants Responded Differently to Male Voices
New research suggests fathers may play a unique role in the auditory brain development of babies in the NICU.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Babies
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Preterm infants exhibited higher Delta-band power in response to male voices compared to female voices during EEG testing. This finding challenges the long-held premise of maternal dominance in neonatal auditory brain development.
Why it matters
Understanding how different sounds impact brain activity helps clinicians optimize the NICU environment. The results highlight that paternal vocal presence may be more influential for infant neurological development than previously assumed.
Researchers measured Delta-band power in the infant cortex using EEG in a trial featuring four distinct facilitators. The study recorded higher Delta-band power in response to male voices than female voices, failing to support the hypothesis of maternal dominance.
The players
Preterm infants
These infants in the NICU were the study participants whose auditory brain activity was monitored via EEG.
The details
The study utilized EEG to monitor neurological activity in the infant cortex, using a baseline of silence for comparison. Researchers compared responses to mothers, fathers, and two professional music therapists of different genders. The father's voice elicited the highest Delta power during lullaby stimuli, suggesting male vocal characteristics may uniquely stimulate early neural processing in preterm infants.
Timeline
- 2026-10-03
The study results were published.
Health Landscape
This research contributes to the broader clinical study of neonatal auditory brain development in the NICU. It represents a shift from a historical focus on maternal-only interaction to a more inclusive model of parental and professional auditory stimuli.
For parents with infants in the NICU, this finding suggests that active participation from fathers is a valuable way to provide neurological stimulation. Discuss the role of vocal engagement and music therapy with your infant's neonatal care team to support their development.
The takeaway
Male voices may offer unique benefits for the auditory development of preterm infants. Families can prioritize regular vocal interaction or lullabies during NICU visits to support their child's neurological growth.
Further reading
Learn more about early neurological development in our Babies section.
More information
View the full Registered clinical trial entry for detailed methodology.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
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