Hearing Problems Signs
for Parents of Young Children
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Hearing problems in babies can often be overlooked until the age where first words should start developing. Often times parents have language concerns and quality of hearing is then questioned. Your baby most likely had his first hearing test in the hospital when he was a few days old. If your baby did not pass his newborn hearing screen then you should of had a follow up evaluation. If not,tell your doctor and get one. This is very important. Your baby could of passed his hearing test and still develop hearing issues later on. Here are the signs I watch for when I work with a child that could be a flag for a hearing concern. - Slow or no startle response to loud or unexpected noises.
- Does not turn to familiar voices or noises consistently.
- Is a quiet baby. Does not babble or make a lot of sound.
- Does not produce consonant/vowel combinations like Da,Ma or Ba.
- Word production is slow to develop or absent.
- Does not seem to understand simple request for his age.
- Appears to ignore people and/or activities around him.
- Does not consistently respond when his name is called.
- Focuses on peoples lips when being talked to.
- History of chronic ear infections or fluid retention.
- Medical conditions that could have caused hearing loss like prematurity or meningitis.
There has been a push to have all newborn babies in the United States screen for hearing concerns. In 2001 it was estimated that only 50 percent of all newborns were screened. In 2007 estimates were up to 90 percent of all newborns. Make sure your baby received and passed his screening.
Hearing Problems (opens a new window)
Infant Care Basics
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