Beyond baby talk: Unique vocal dynamics directed at older adults,

Humans instinctively adapt their speech dynamics based on their communication partner. Despite the significant developmental differences between infants and older adults, it is commonly believed that vocal communication directed towards older adults mirrors baby talk. This study examined spoken, sung, and whispered vocalizations produced by young adults to infants, older adults, and adults of similar age. Results showed that listeners across cultures accurately identified the intended audience, and distinct acoustic patterns were observed in vocalizations directed towards older adults, challenging the assumption of uniform communication strategies for infants and older adults. We propose that an assessment of the cognitive, hearing, emotional, and attentional needs and abilities of listeners is crucial in shaping communication dynamics, leading to distinct vocal dynamics for infants and older adults.