Effects of Mother's Voice and Heartbeat Sounds on Preterm Newborns

The purpose of this RCT is to learn more about how sounds that we experience in the womb can
affect early development in premature infants. The investigators are specifically interested
determining whether and what types of maternal auditory stimulation can influence physical
growth, brain maturation, respiratory stability (including heart rate, respiratory rate and
oxygen saturation levels) as well as early vocalization prior to 40 weeks gestation. The
investigators hypothesize that daily exposure to biological maternal sounds, such as
mother's voice and heartbeat, will improve both short-term and long-term developmental
outcomes in premature infants and will increase their potential to grow into healthy
children.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Born between 24-36 weeks GA.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Chromosomal or congenital anomalies; congenital infections; > grade II IVH;

- maternal use of tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs;

- significant abuse or malnutrition during pregnancy,

- failed ABR.

- No exclusions based on gender or ethnicity.