A Survey of Neonatal Nurses Perspectives on Voice Use and Auditory Needs with Premature Infants in the NICU.

Amy R Smith,Ashley Heaton,Brenda Salley,Deanna Hanson-Abromeit

doi:10.3390/ijerph18168471

Abstract

Background: Exposure to the voice and language during the critical period of auditory development associated with the third trimester is thought to be an essential building block for language. Differences in the auditory experience associated with early life in the NICU may increase the risk of language delays for premature infants. NICU nurses are fundamental in the care of premature infants; how they use their voices may be important in understanding auditory experiences in the NICU. This study examined voice use behaviors of NICU nurses in the United States and their current knowledge of early auditory development. Method: An opt-in, online questionnaire. Results: Nurses reported using their voice more as the age of infants approached term gestation and speaking to infants was the most common type of voice use. Both infant and nurse factors influenced reported voice use decisions in the NICU. Nurses did not believe the NICU auditory environment to be sufficient to meet early auditory needs of premature infants but did believe that premature infants are exposed to adequate voice sounds. Conclusions: A gap in knowledge regarding the importance of early exposure to voice sounds may be a barrier to nurses using their voices to support early auditory development.

Highlights

Language development is an intricate process that requires an organized, consistent relationship between early auditory experiences, exposure to language, and opportunities for reciprocal communication [1,2]
Our results indicate the need for specific education on the relationship between the environment, voice use, and early auditory development is warranted, since the acoustic nature of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment is a constant topic of concern for its link to long-term developmental difficulties in premature infants [13,17,18]
Results found that NICU nurses report using their voices mostly for speaking at the bedside of premature infants who are close to term gestational age

Summary

Introduction

Language development is an intricate process that requires an organized, consistent relationship between early auditory experiences, exposure to language, and opportunities for reciprocal communication [1,2]. Environmental and medical needs associated with premature birth may be a barrier to the early language environment provided by close contact with parents that is afforded in healthy term infants. Caregivers, such as nurses, may play an important role in providing early exposure to language by using their voice while providing care to premature infants in the NICU. Exposure to the voice and language during the critical period of auditory development associated with the third trimester is thought to be an essential building block for language. NICU nurses are fundamental in the care of premature infants; how they use their voices may be important in understanding auditory experiences in the NICU.

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Discussion

Conclusion