From the moment they enter the world, babies are absorbing everything around them. Their hearing is a foundational sense that plays a crucial role in their journey to language and communication. Watching their baby hearing development is one of the most magical parts of parenthood, as they begin to recognize voices, turn to sounds, and eventually, respond to their own name.
This guide will walk you through what to expect with your newborn hearing, detail key baby hearing milestones from birth to one year, and provide you with a clear understanding of an infant response to sound. We’ll also cover important topics like the routine hearing tests newborn babies receive and the signs of hearing loss baby parents should be aware of.
The First Newborn Hearing Check
A baby’s hearing is fully developed and functional from birth. To ensure every baby has the best start, most hospitals perform a routine hearing tests newborn babies receive before they are discharged. These screenings are quick, painless, and are typically done while your baby is sleeping or resting.
The two most common tests are the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test, which measures an “echo” response from the inner ear, and the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test, which checks how the hearing nerve and brain respond to sound. If your baby does not “pass” the initial screening, it doesn’t automatically mean there is a hearing loss. It could simply be due to fluid in the ears or a noisy room. A follow-up test will be recommended to get a definitive result.
Baby Hearing Milestones Month by Month
Here’s what to look for as your infant response to sound evolves over their first year.
Birth to 3 Months
Your newborn hearing is highly sensitive. They are particularly responsive to high-pitched human voices and have a natural preference for their parent’s voice.
- Reacts to loud sounds: A sudden loud noise will cause them to startle, blink, or cry.
- Quiets to soft sounds: Your baby may seem soothed by gentle sounds, music, or a familiar voice.
- Turns toward sound: They may turn their head or eyes toward a sound source.
3 to 6 Months
At this stage, your baby’s hearing is becoming more refined and their responses are more intentional. They begin to experiment with their own vocalizations.
- Turns to sound source: Your baby will consistently turn their head and eyes to look for the source of a sound.
- Responds to tone: They may stop what they are doing in response to the word “no” or smile when they hear a happy tone.
- Starts to babble: They begin to make cooing sounds and babble with vowel sounds like “ooh” and “aah.”
6 to 9 Months
This is an exciting time as your baby starts to connect sounds with meaning. This is also the period when they begin to show signs of a baby recognizing name.
- Responds to their name: Most babies will consistently turn their head or look at you when you call their name.
- Looks at objects: When you name an object like “toy” or “ball,” they may look toward it.
- Babbles with more complexity: They will start to string together consonant-vowel combinations like “ba-ba-ba” and “da-da-da.”
When Will My Baby Recognizing Name Happen?
Most babies will begin to consistently respond to their name between 6 and 9 months of age. This is a significant cognitive milestone. It shows that your baby is not only hearing sounds but is also starting to understand that a specific sound (their name) refers to them and them alone. You can encourage this milestone by using their name frequently when you talk to them.
Signs of Hearing Loss Baby Parents Should Watch For
While every baby develops at their own pace, there are some important indicators that may signal a need for professional evaluation. If you notice any of these signs of hearing loss baby parents should contact their pediatrician.
- Does not startle to a loud noise.
- Does not turn their head to find the source of a sound by 6 months of age.
- Does not seem to respond to their name by their first birthday.
- Does not imitate sounds or try to say simple words like “mama” or “dada” by 12 months.
- Their infant response to sound seems inconsistent—they respond to some sounds but not others.
Remember, a professional evaluation is the only way to confirm a hearing issue. Early intervention is key, so don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you have any concerns.
How to Encourage Your Baby’s Hearing & Communication
The best way to support your baby’s hearing and language development is to simply talk to them!
- Talk, Read, and Sing: Use a variety of tones and pitches when you talk to your baby. Read books, and sing songs to them.
- Respond to their Sounds: When your baby coos or babbles, respond back and have a “conversation.” This teaches them the important concept of turn-taking in communication.
- Engage with Sounds: Use rattles, musical mobiles, and other sound-making toys to encourage your baby to locate and respond to sounds.
Conclusion
Your baby’s baby hearing development is a rapid and remarkable process that lays the groundwork for their entire life. By being aware of the baby hearing milestones and knowing what to look for, you can celebrate their progress and feel confident in seeking a professional opinion should you have any concerns.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The content of this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your baby’s development.
The information shared here is not intended to cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Before making any changes to your health or seeking any medical intervention, you must consult with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual health needs.