Which sense is most dominant at birth?

At birth, hearing is indeed the most dominant sense. Newborns are capable of hearing sounds from the outside world, often showing a preference for familiar voices, particularly their mother’s voice. Research indicates that fetuses can perceive sounds during the last trimester of pregnancy, so they are born with some auditory experiences that influence their responses to sounds after birth.

Vision, while essential, is not as fully developed at birth. Newborns can see, but their vision is blurry, and they primarily respond to high-contrast patterns rather than detailed images. Touch is also significant, as it plays a crucial role in bonding and can elicit reflexive responses; however, its sensory capabilities are not as fully recognized as hearing in terms of immediate recognition and interaction with the environment. Smell is functional, and infants can recognize their mother’s scent, but their olfactory capabilities are not as crucial as auditory perception during the initial days and weeks of life. Thus, the dominance of the hearing sense at birth is supported by the ability to recognize and respond to auditory stimuli effectively.