Intrauterine Universe, Part 3

Filtered Sounds of the Womb: Tomatis’ Sonic Breakthrough

What does a fetus hear in the womb? Alfred Tomatis’ groundbreaking experiments with filtered sounds offer a glimpse into the intrauterine soundscape, revealing its profound impact on human development. In this series, we explore how these early auditory experiences shape our connection to language and the world. Join us as we listen to the womb’s echoes, one filtered note at a time.

Simulating the Womb’s Soundscape

Alfred Tomatis’ journey into the intrauterine universe led him to a fascinating hypothesis: just as birds in ovo receive sound information, a fetus in utero must also be influenced by sounds filtered through amniotic layers. To test this, Tomatis devised an innovative experiment. He wrapped a microphone and a speaker in thin rubber membranes to mimic the amniotic sac, then submerged them in water. The speaker, connected to a recording, emitted sounds, while the microphone, linked to a second recorder, captured the filtered audio.

This setup allowed Tomatis to replicate the liquid filtering of sounds as they might be perceived in the womb. The terms “filtered voices,” “filtered sounds,” and “filtered music” became part of his daily vocabulary, describing the physical phenomenon of sound passing through a liquid medium. The results were astonishing—a shimmering, liquid-like soundscape that was both relaxing and invigorating, reminiscent of African nights by rivers filled with the hum of pirogues.

A Shared Sonic Discovery

Tomatis was so captivated by the sounds he created that he felt compelled to share them. He invited the father of one of his patients—a nine-year-old girl in treatment—to experience the intrauterine perception of a mother’s voice. Using the voice of the man’s wife, the girl’s mother, Tomatis played the filtered recording through his laboratory setup. The father, an engineer with a background in medicine and a history of working with Tomatis on speech and language conditioning, was a trusted friend, making this a deeply personal moment.

As the filtered voice played, both Tomatis and the father were struck by a sense of wonder. Then, Tomatis introduced a frequency shift—from 8,000 Hz to 50 Hz—mimicking what he called the “sonic birth,” the transition from liquid intrauterine hearing to aerial hearing at birth. This shift, facilitated by variable filters, was designed to simulate the auditory experience of delivery, a moment of profound change in how sound is perceived.

A Child’s Vision of Birth

As the experiment unfolded, Tomatis and the father became so absorbed that they forgot the child was present, sitting quietly behind them. The nine-year-old girl, listening to the filtered voice of her mother, entered a dreamlike state, verbalizing her experience as the recording played. “I’m in a tunnel… and at the end, I see light,” she said, her words breaking the silence. As the “sonic birth” continued, she added, “I see two angels.” When Tomatis asked how they were dressed, she replied, “In white,” a poetic metaphor for the obstetrician and assistant at her birth.

The room filled with an indescribable presence, a weighty stillness that held Tomatis and the father in awe. The girl continued, “I’m coming out of the tunnel… and I see Mommy.” Her father, overwhelmed, stammered, “You see Mommy? How do you see her?” The child, now lying on her back with her legs raised as if in a birthing position, simply said, “Like this.” As the recording ended, so did her vivid recollection, leaving both adults in stunned silence.

A Glimpse into Prenatal Memory

For Tomatis, this moment was a revelation. The girl’s experience was a clear reliving of her birth, a memory so detailed and authentic that a nine-year-old could not have fabricated it. Neither Tomatis nor the father commented in the child’s presence, but the event left a lasting impression. Tomatis felt he had tapped into something immense—a confirmation that prenatal auditory experiences could leave a profound imprint on the psyche.

Recognizing the significance of this discovery, Tomatis decided to pause his research temporarily, feeling it ventured beyond his immediate focus. He shared his findings with psychoanalytic colleagues, who were deeply intrigued by the implications for understanding the human psyche. The experiment opened new avenues for exploring how early sound experiences shape our emotional and linguistic development.

Echoes of the Unborn

Tomatis’ work with filtered sounds offers a window into the womb’s auditory world, challenging us to rethink the origins of language and memory. For those eager to dive deeper, his book De la communication intra-utérine au langage humain offers a wealth of insight (available here).

Categories: : Alfred Tomatis, Books, Personal Contribution