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A new app aims to help parents interpret what their baby wants based on the sound of their cry. The free app ChatterBaby, which was released last month, analyzes the acoustic (声学的) features of a baby’s cry, to help parents understand whether their child might be hungry, fussy or in pain. While critics say caregivers should not rely too much on their smartphone, others say it’s a helpful tool for new or tired parents.
Ariana Anderson, a mother of four, developed the app. She originally designed the technology to help deaf parents better understand why their baby was upset, but soon realized it could be a helpful tool for all new parents.
To build a database, Anderson and her team uploaded 2,000 audio samples of infant(婴儿) cries. She used cries recorded during ear piercings and vaccinations to distinguish pain cries. And to create a baseline for the other two categories, a group of moms had to agree on whether the cry was either hungry or fussy.
Anderson’s team continues to collect data and hopes to make the app more accurate by asking parents to get specific about what certain sounds mean.
Pediatrician Eric Ball pointed out that evaluating cries can never be an exact science. “I think that all of the apps and technology that new parents are using now can be helpful but need to be taken seriously,” Ball said ,“ I do worry that some parents will get stuck in big data and turn their parenting into basically a spreadsheet(电子表格) which I think will take away the love and caring that parents are supposed to be providing for the children. ”
But Anderson said the aim of the app is to have parents interpret the results, not to provide a yes or no answer. The Bells, a couple using this app, say it’s a win-win. They believe they are not only helping their baby now but potentially others in the future.
1．How does the app judge what babies want?
A．By collecting data. B．By recording all the sounds.
C．By analyzing the sound of their cries. D．By asking parents about specific messages.
2．What was the app designed for in the beginning?
A．All new parents. B．Deaf parents.
C．Ariana Anderson. D．Crying babies.
3．What is Ball’s opinion about the app?
A．Parents should use the app wisely.
B．The app can create an accurate result.
C．Parents and babies are addicted to the app.
D．The app makes babies lose love and caring.
4．What is the text mainly about?
A．Parents should not rely too much on their smartphones.
B．A new app helps parents figure out why their babies are crying.
C．Parents can deal with babies’ hunger with the help of a new app.
D．A new app called ChatterBaby can prevent babies from crying.
