What are the signs your baby could be deaf or hard of hearing? It’s important to remember that every child is unique, and developmental milestones can vary. However, there are some common signs that may indicate your baby could be deaf or hard of hearing. It’s essential to be vigilant and seek professional advice if you notice any of the following:
Failed Newborn Hearing Screening
After your baby is born, they will typically test your baby’s hearing while you are in the hospital. If your child fails the test, it could mean that your child has hearing problems or fluid in their ears. My daughter failed hers and had to have a repeat test done at two weeks old. She was then sent to have an ABS (Auditory Brain Response) test done.
Lack of Startle Response
Babies with normal hearing typically startle or respond to sudden loud noises. A lack of response to loud sounds may be a potential sign of hearing impairment.
Absence of Babbling
Around 6 to 9 months, babies usually start babbling and making vocal sounds. If your baby does not show signs of babbling or making vocalizations, it could be a cause for concern.
Limited Response to Sound
A baby with hearing loss may not turn their head or react when their name is called or in response to other sounds.
Delayed Speech and Language Development
Hearing is crucial for speech and language development. A baby with hearing loss may exhibit delays in speaking their first words or difficulty imitating sounds.
Inconsistent Response to Voices
They typically respond to familiar voices by cooing, smiling, or making eye contact. If your baby shows inconsistent or no response to voices, it could be a red flag.
Lack of Response to Music or Sound-Producing Toys
Again, babies usually show interest in music or toys that make sounds. If your baby does not respond or appear interested in sound-producing toys, it might indicate a hearing issue.
Difficulty Following Sounds or Locating Their Source
It’s true that babies with normal hearing can locate the source of sounds by turning their head in the direction of the sound. Difficulty with sound localization could be a sign of hearing impairment.
Excessive Fussiness or Lack of Attention
A baby with hearing loss might be more irritable or have difficulty paying attention to their surroundings due to the lack of auditory stimulation.
Difficulty in Sleeping or Waking Up More Frequently
Some babies with hearing impairment may have difficulty settling down or wake up more frequently because they cannot hear soothing sounds or familiar voices.
Lack of Social Engagement
Babies with hearing difficulties may show less interest in engaging with others or responding to facial expressions and gestures.
Family History of Hearing Loss
If there is a family history of hearing impairment, there may be an increased risk for your baby to also have hearing difficulties.
If you observe any of these signs or have concerns about your baby’s hearing, it’s essential to consult a pediatrician or an audiologist for a thorough evaluation. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve a child’s language and communication skills, so seeking professional help is crucial.
👶👂 Recognizing signs of hearing impairment in babies is crucial for early intervention and support. Your insights on this topic are so helpful for parents and caregivers. 🌟❤️ Thanks for sharing these important signs to look out for! 🙌👩👦👂
Good tips! I imagine this could be a very confusing time for new parents so this insight would be useful for them and enable them to get their child tested as early as possible.
These are great tips on what to look for. The sooner you figure it out, the sooner you can get the help.
You have some really great tips for looking for signs of deafness in babies. It is so crucial to find out at early as possible to get the help they need.
I love this post. I didn’t have this issue with my kids. However, I had lack of talking and hearing was check but it was something else.
It is interesting to consider what might be the signs of deafness. It is good to know what to look for in infants.
I lost my hearing in my right ear because of a perforated ear drum from having a high fever of 106 at six months old .
This is great to know for new parents especially! Some signs can be easy to overlook.
Critical read for parents: Recognizing signs your baby could be deaf or hard of hearing. Early detection is key for their development
This is a nice post. I didn’t know that there are signs that can help you determine whether you baby is deaf or not. What an informative post.
so very useful to know this.. i know that the lack of startle response has helped one of my friends identify and help their own baby sometime ago
New parents can get a lot of help from this post, because getting to understand about the hearing thing of baby is a very important thing.
As a parent I was always worried about my kids. I am glad that signs like these can help to discover these kind problems or to help to avoid worries.
Such an important issue. My son was a premie and had hearing issues at first. Thank you for sharing it!
Very informative and detailed article, as a mom of three – it would have been worrying if I didn’t know the reasons a baby as acting like any of the signs. This would be helpful for moms-to-be and new moms!