Hearing is fundamental for a baby’s overall development, particularly for acquiring speech and language skills. Recognizing potential signs of hearing loss early allows for timely intervention, which can significantly improve a child’s developmental outcomes. This article outlines observable signs of hearing loss in infants across different age ranges, guiding parents on what to look for.
Observing Early Responses
In the first few months of life, a baby’s responses to sound are primarily reflexive. From birth to four months, infants exhibit a startle reflex, also known as the Moro reflex, in response to loud noises. This reflex involves extending their arms and legs, opening their hands, and then pulling their limbs back towards their body. A lack of this startle response to sudden, loud sounds could indicate a hearing issue.
Babies in this age range should also show other reactions to sounds. They may widen their eyes, blink, or stir from sleep in response to noises. A newborn may quiet down or be soothed by soft sounds and familiar voices, recognizing their mother’s voice at birth. By one to four months, an infant might turn their head or move their eyes towards a sound source, and may tense their body or extend their limbs in response to certain sounds. If a baby consistently sleeps through loud noises or does not react to voices, it may warrant further attention.
Tracking Auditory and Speech Development
As infants grow, their auditory and speech development progresses through several milestones. Between four and eight months, a baby should begin to notice sounds nearby, smile when spoken to, and purposefully seek the source of a sound by turning their head. They may also begin to babble, producing vowel-like sounds and combining them with consonants.
From six to nine months, infants start to respond to their own name, often by turning their head. They may also begin to imitate sounds and use their voice to express joy or displeasure. A baby who is not babbling by seven to nine months, not responding to their name, or not attempting to imitate sounds could be showing signs of a hearing problem. By 8-14 months, babies should understand simple words and may say simple words.
Next Steps: Seeking Professional Evaluation
If any of these signs are observed, consulting a pediatrician is the next step. Pediatricians can conduct initial screenings or refer to specialists like audiologists. Early detection and intervention are beneficial for a child’s speech, language, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities.
Common hearing tests for infants are non-invasive and painless. The Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test measures sound waves produced by the inner ear in response to sound. The Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test assesses how the auditory nerves and brainstem respond to sound. Both OAE and ABR tests are routinely used in newborn hearing screening programs and can be performed while a baby is sleeping.