How do I know if my child has a hearing loss?

Two in every 100 children under the age of 18 have some degree of hearing loss, which can delay
speech, language and social/educational development.

Does your child:

Turn up the TV volume too high?
Respond inappropriately to questions?
Not reply when you call him/her?
Watch others to see what they are doing?
Have articulation problems or speech/language delays?
Appear extremely tired at the end of the day?
Have problems academically?
Complain of earaches, ear pain or head noises?
Have trouble localizing the sound?

If you answered YES to any of the questions, have your child's hearing evaluated by an audiologist.

Concerned about your infant's hearing?
The following are development milestones for normal hearing and language behavior.
Answer "Yes" or "no" for each question.

Birth to 4 months:
• Does baby startle to loud sounds?
• Does baby quiet to mother's or father's voice?
• Does baby smile or coo when you talk to him/her?

4 to 9 months:
• Does baby turn head toward familiar sounds?
• Does baby make sounds such as "ba ba ba" or "da da da?"
• Does baby begin to understand words such as "bye-bye" or "up" when used with a hand motion?

9 to 15 months:
• Does baby respond to his/her own name even when spoken quietly?
• Does child use his/her voice to get your attention?
• Does child say "mama" or "dada?"
• Does child jabber and act like he/she is talking even though you may not understand him/her?

15 to 24 months:
• Does child point to familiar pictures and objects when asked?
• Does child follow simple commands?
• Does child point to body parts when asked?
• Does child use single words and point to tell you what he/she wants?
• Does child imitate words that you say?
• Does child name several common objects such as "ball" and "shoe?"
• Does child begin to put 2-3 words together such as "Daddy bye bye?"

If you answered NO to any of the questions in your child's age range, a hearing and/or speech-language
evaluation is recommended.