Hearing Milestones: Check These Signs That Your Baby Has No Hearing Problems

Chiomah Momah

While in some hospitals a newborn’s hearing is usually tested, it is however important to check your babies hearing at different times.  To determine how well our babies hear there are some hearing milestones which can be very helpful.

From 0 to 3 Months:

• When loud sounds such as clapping are made, baby startles, blinks, stops sucking, cries, or wakes up.
• Baby gurgles or makes soft sounds when awake.

3 to 6 Months

• Baby is able to turn his head towards voices and sounds.
• Baby is starting to make speech-like sounds.
• You notice that baby reacts to a change in your tone of voice.

6 to 9 Months

• Your baby responds when her name is called and looks at who is calling.
• Baby may understand simple everyday words such as: bye –bye, no, come.
• Starts to babble (baby talk).

9 to 12 Months

• Baby repeats single words such as “baba, dada etc.”
• Is able to point to objects such as his favourite toys when asked to.

12 to 18 Months

• Your baby has a vocabulary of about 5 to 10 words.
• Baby is able to follow simple instructions such as “ Get me your ball.”
• Baby is able to point to parts of his body when asked.
• Dances (bounces) when she hears music.

18 to 24 Months

• Uses at least 20 words and is able to make two word sentences.
• Attentively listens to simple stories and songs and tries to imitate them.

2 to 3 Years

• Your baby is able to make two or three words sentences.
• You can understand a good amount of what he is trying to say
• Your baby is able to follow two step instructions: e.g. Pick up your toys and keep them in the toy box.”

Not that these milestones are just general guides, so if your child isn’t making two word sentences at two, that may not be an indication of a hearing problem. Instead of panicking, see a ear specialist. Also note that regular appointments with your pediatrician to monitor your baby’s overall health starting from birth is very crucial to detect this and other problems.