Through to the 19th century, a majority of scholars in the Western world continued to believe that music was a distinctly human phenomenon, but experiments since then have vindicated Ibn al-Haytham's view that music does indeed have an effect on animals.
19. sajandil jätkasid paljud läänemaailma teadlased uskumist, et muusika on ainuüksi inimpopulatsiooni nähtus, kuid eksperimendid alates tollest ajast on õigustanud Ibn al-Haythami vaadet, et muusikal on tõepoolest loomadele mõju.