Yes, babies can hear at birth. Their auditory system is developed enough to perceive sounds from the moment they are born.
Hearing Before and After Birth
Your newborn's hearing journey begins even before birth. While in the womb, babies are exposed to a range of sounds, including:
- The mother's heartbeat
- The mother's digestive system gurgles
- The mother's voice
- The voices of other family members
These sounds contribute to the baby's auditory development. Upon birth, the sounds of the outside world are readily perceived. The transition from the womb's muffled sounds to the clearer sounds of the external environment is seamless. The newborn's hearing is fully functional at birth, allowing them to respond to and process auditory information.
