Little Ears: Hearing Milestones and Loss in Infants

Milestones of Infant Hearing

If you are unsure whether your infant or child may have a hearing loss, take a look at this list of milestones adapted from Dr. Amie Gordon-Langbein, DO, a specialist in pediatric hearing loss. If your child does not meet these criteria, you may have a reason to be concerned and should act promptly.

• Loud sounds are startling to these young babies.
• Infants are soothed by familiar voices.
• Most babies begin to gurgle, babble, or coo.

• Infants turn in the direction of sound.
• Babies of this age like toys that make noise or rattle.
• Infants react to familiar voices and, around six months, may babble in response.

• Babies understand common first words such as mama, dada, and no.
• Infants turn to familiar sounds even when the source of the sound cannot be seen (telephone, footsteps, dog barking).
• Infants make sounds other than gurgles and coos.
• Babies recognize their own names.

• Babies attempt to match sounds with their own speech, usually in reaction to human voices or loud noises.
• Babies are able to point to objects when asked.
• Most babies understand simple questions and respond appropriately (Where's the cat? Where's mommy?)