Final answer:
The question deals with how infants develop their sense of hearing and respond to different types of sounds. Newborns show a preference for their mother's voice and can be startled by loud noises, indicating a well-developed sense of hearing. This development continues as children grow and start to interpret and respond to a wider range of sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question appears to explore the development of hearing in infants and how they respond to various sounds. A sense of hearing is indeed well developed in newborns, and they show distinct behaviors in response to certain sounds. Newborns have been observed to quieten to their parents' voice and turn towards sounds. This is part of their early communication and development, showing recognition and preference for familiar voices like those of their mother, which can have a soothing effect.
A neonate's reaction to sounds of potential danger, such as angry voices or loud noises, involves increased attention and sometimes a startle response, indicating a developed sense of hearing that helps in identifying the environment. As infants grow, their responses to sounds become more pronounced, evidenced by reactions like squealing or reading simple phrases, as shown by the example of the four-and-a-half-year-old boy.
Understanding the development of hearing in infants is important for caregivers to make sure the environment supports their growth and to identify any potential hearing issues early on.