Auditory development

![CDATA[In this chapter we have shown that the auditory system develops early; that the infant is born with a number of auditory abilities and preferences, some learned in the womb; and that there are developmental infl uences of species - general auditory experience and culturally and linguistically specifi c auditory experience. Auditory competence underlies the understanding of speech and the appreciation of song and music, rich sources of communication that enhance our enjoyment of the world and our fellows. There are a number of factors that may put intact hearing at risk, and hearing loss is not as uncommon as we would wish. Given the early emergence of auditory abilities, if there is early deprivation in the auditory sphere, there can be signifi cant later consequences. Fortunately, there are now quite sophisticated means of both early screening and early intervention for hearing loss. Nevertheless, further research is required so that the mechanisms of hearing loss are better understood and the technology of hearing prostheses improved. To achieve this research goal, further understanding of the development of normal hearing is necessary. Such research will not only aid the impairment area, but also help us to understand the delicate interplay of species - general aspects of the auditory system we share with other animals, species - specifi c predilections of humans, and culture - specifi c infl uences of speech and music, that make up the richness of human auditory experience. At a more general level, the world ’ s variety of speech and music systems provides a natural collection of mini - laboratories in which the age - old question of nature and nurture may be investigated.]]