New Born Hearing Loss
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- Approximately 6 of every 1,000 babies have a significant hearing problem at birth.
- More then 4,000 babies are born with hearing loss each year.
- Babies are not able to tell you they have hearing loss and the first year of life is critical to the development of normal speech and language.
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An infant with normal hearing should be able to do the following:
Around two months of age
- Startles to loud sound
- Quiets to familiar voices
- Makes vowel sounds like “ohh”
Around four months of age
- Looks for sound sources
- Starts babbling
- Makes squeals and chuckles
Around six months of age
- Turns head toward loud sounds
- Begin to imitate speech sound
- Babbles sounds like “ba-ba”
Around nine months of age
- Imitates speech sounds of others
- Understands “no-no” or “bye-bye”
- Turns head toward soft sounds
Around 12 months of age
- Correctly uses “ma-ma” or “da-da”
- Gives toy when asked
- Responds to singing or music
Most states require newborn hearing screening tests.
If your infant has had a hearing screening and is unable to do some of the above examples (based on his or her age), schedule a follow-up appointment with an audiologist to have his or her hearing checked again.
Hearing loss in infants is a hidden disability, and it is important to pay attention to their development and get their hearing tested.
If you think your infant may have a hearing loss, please call us at (859) 781-4900. You can schedule an appointment directly with one of our professionally trained Audiologists who are trained to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss.
