Warning Signs of a Hearing Problem

Warning Signs of a Hearing Problem

Deafness is the leading cause of delayed language development, according to the American Medical Association's (AMA) Complete Guide to Your Children's Health. Even temporary hearing loss caused by an ear infection — not to mention more permanent damage that can be the result of frequent infections — can affect how and when your child learns to talk. Your child's doctor should check his hearing regularly, but for the meantime, print this form so you can keep an eye out for any of these warning signs.


According to the AMA, you should call the pediatrician if your child:


Age: Warning Signs: Check Here
Newborn to three months doesn't startle in response to a sudden loud sound


doesn't seem to recognize your voice


doesn't move or wake up at the sound of voices or nearby noises when sleeping in a quiet room


doesn't respond to sounds, music, or voices


when fussy or crying, doesn't calm down when you speak to him while you're out of sight





Age: Warning Signs: Check Here
Four to eight months doesn't turn his head or eyes toward a sound he can't see


doesn't change expressions at the sound of a voice or a loud noise when he's in a quiet setting


doesn't seem to enjoy shaking a rattle, ringing bells, or squeezing noisemakers


by six months, hasn't begun to babble to himself or back at others who speak to him





Age: Warning Signs: Check Here
Nine to 12 months doesn't turn quickly or directly toward a soft noisemaker or "shush"


doesn't respond to his name


doesn't vary his pitch when babbling


doesn't make several different consonant sounds when babbling (m, p, b, g, etc.)


doesn't respond to music by listening, bouncing, or singing along


doesn't understand what "no" means


at one year, doesn't pronounce many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words





Age: Warning Signs: Check Here
18 Months to three years at 18 months, doesn't say more than five words


between two and three years, doesn't use two- or three-word sentences, can't follow two instructions together (for example, "Get the block and put it on the table"), and you can't understand his speech most of the time.