RecruitingInterventional

From womb to world: creating womb-like environments for preterm language development

The 'From Womb to World' study is exploring how sounds heard before birth might help premature babies learn language. Babies born early miss out on important sounds like their parents' voices that normally help language develop. This study will see if giving premature babies a womb-like sound experience, including their parents' filtered voices, can improve their early language and thinking skills. Researchers will compare three groups: premature babies receiving these special sounds, premature babies getting standard care, and full-term babies. Families will visit facilities for gentle checks as their babies grow. The aim is to understand if these early sound experiences make a difference and could lead to better support for premature babies in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Oxford Brookes University

Enrolment target

150

Start

01 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2029

Babies born preterm

What is this study about?

When babies are in the womb, they hear many important sounds, such as the rhythm and tune of their parents' voices. These early sound experiences are like building blocks for learning language later on. However, babies born early, or 'prematurely' (before 37 weeks), miss some of this crucial sound development in the womb.

In hospital neonatal units, premature babies often hear less speech and are exposed to more machine noises compared to what they would hear inside their mother. Scientists believe this difference might contribute to some premature babies having delays in their language development later on. The 'From Womb to World' study aims to tackle this by creating a safe, womb-like sound environment for some of these premature babies.

The study will look at whether playing special filtered recordings of parents' voices and gentle womb-like sounds can support better early language and thinking skills in premature babies. They will compare three groups: premature babies who experience these special sounds, premature babies who receive usual care, and full-term babies. By doing this, researchers hope to learn how to best support premature babies' development.

Key takeaways

Looks at how 'womb sounds' might help premature babies learn language.
Compares premature babies with special sounds, premature babies with standard care, and full-term babies.
Involves safe, gentle sound exposure, including parents' filtered voices.
Requires short, play-based visits to the BabyLab to check development.
Considered low risk with potential benefits for baby development.
Your child's health and development are carefully monitored throughout.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for around 150 babies in total. For premature babies, they need to have been born between 26 and 34 weeks, and shouldn't have any major brain injuries, known hearing or vision problems, or any existing conditions that affect development or language. Their families should also speak English as their main language.

Full-term babies can also take part. They need to have been born at 37 weeks or later and meet the same health and language requirements as the premature babies. This helps the researchers compare the different groups fairly.

Babies who were born too early (before 26 weeks) or too late (after 34 weeks for the premature group), or who have serious health issues impacting brain, hearing, or vision, wouldn't be able to join. Families where English isn't the main language spoken to the baby at home also can't take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Was your baby born between 26 and 34 weeks (for premature groups) or at 37 weeks or later (for full-term group)?
Does your baby have any known major brain injuries, or vision/hearing problems?
Are there any known family risks of developmental or language conditions?
Is English the main language spoken to your baby at home?
Is your baby generally stable and healthy as deemed by their medical team?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your baby takes part, especially if they are a premature baby in the 'womb-like environment' group, you'll be asked to make some audio recordings of your speech. These recordings will be specially filtered to sound like what a baby hears in the womb. Your baby will then hear these filtered recordings, along with other gentle womb-like sounds, while they are in the hospital's Neonatal Care Unit.

For all babies in the study, families will be invited to visit the Oxford Brookes BabyLab four times as their baby grows – at around 7.5, 9, 10.5, and 12 months of age. During each visit, which lasts about an hour with plenty of breaks, babies will take part in short, fun language activities (about 5 minutes each) to see how they listen to sounds. Parents will also complete some questionnaires about their baby's vocabulary. At the 7.5 and 12-month visits, babies will also have a standard check of their thinking skills. The study is planned to run from March 2026 to August 2029.

Potential risks and benefits

A possible benefit is that premature babies in the special sound group may receive gentle extra stimulation that could help their language development. Parents might also find it rewarding to contribute to important research and learn more about their baby's progress. The study is considered very low risk. Babies might get a little tired during the short play-based tests, but researchers will keep a close eye on them and stop immediately if a baby becomes upset or uncomfortable. The main inconvenience for parents would be the time spent making recordings or filling out questionnaires. You are always free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time.

Locations (2)

Oxford University Hospitals
City only
Oxford, England
Oxford Brookes University
Approximate
Oxford, England

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The study aims to see if providing premature babies with womb-like sounds, including their parents' voices, can help their language and thinking development.

Will my baby hear my voice in the study?

Yes, if your baby is in the special sound group of premature babies, you'll be asked to make recordings of your voice which will then be filtered to sound like they would in the womb.

How many times do we need to visit the BabyLab?

You will be invited for four visits to the Oxford Brookes BabyLab, at roughly 7.5, 9, 10.5, and 12 months of age.

Are there any serious risks for my baby?

The study is considered very low risk. Any tests are short, play-based, and will be stopped if your baby gets tired or uncomfortable.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and Oxford Brookes University is responsible for overseeing it.

How to find out more

Oxford Brookes Babylab

babylab@brookes.ac.uk 01865 535 285 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.