When does the baby begin to hear in the womb?

Question

I thought I read somewhere that it is when I am 20 weeks pregnant but I can't remember. Anyone know when the baby is able to hear outside noises in the womb?

Answer 1

Although the baby's ear begins forming at 8 weeks, it is structurally complete at about 24 weeks. But as early as 18 weeks, the bones of the inner ear and the nerve endings from the brain have developed enough for your baby to hear sounds such as your heartbeat and blood moving through the umbilical cord. He may even be startled by loud noises! For the rest of the pregnancy, sound serves as a baby's major information channel.

By week 25, your baby begins to hear your voice — and your partner's — and may even recognize those voices as early as week 27. Sounds may be muffled, though, because the ears are still covered with vernix, the thick waxy coating that protects the skin from becoming chapped by the amniotic fluid.