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Recognising Hearing Problems in Babies

Good hearing is the foundation for language development. In many countries, every newborn receives a hearing screening — but not all hearing problems are present from birth. It's important to know your baby's hearing milestones and act early if you notice anything unusual.

الأسباب المحتملة

1Genetic causes (about 50% of all congenital hearing impairments)
2Infections during pregnancy (CMV, rubella, toxoplasmosis)
3Birth complications (oxygen deprivation, premature birth, low birth weight)
4Glue ear (fluid in the middle ear) — most common cause of temporary hearing loss in babies and toddlers
5Repeated ear infections

ما يمكنكِ فعله

Newborn hearing screening: performed in the first 3 days of life (OAE or AABR)
If screening is abnormal: further diagnostics with a paediatric audiologist (by 3 months at the latest)
Glue ear: wait and watch (often resolves on its own), if persistent: grommets
Hearing aids: can be fitted from just a few weeks of age
Cochlear implant: for severe hearing loss or deafness, ideally in the 1st year of life

متى تزورين الطبيب؟

Baby doesn't react to loud sounds (clapping, door slamming) — from birth
Baby doesn't turn towards sound source (should do this from 4-6 months)
No babbling sounds (ba-ba, da-da) by 9 months
Baby doesn't respond to their name (from 8-10 months)
Speech development is absent or stalls (from 12 months: no first words)
Child turns up TV or music unusually loud

ملاحظات حسب العمر

Birth: Newborn hearing screening (legally mandated in many countries). 0-3 months: Baby startles at loud sounds, calms at familiar voice. 4-6 months: Turns head towards sound source. 6-9 months: Babbles diversely (ma-ma, da-da, ba-ba). 9-12 months: Understands simple words ('no', own name). 12-18 months: First words. GOLDEN RULE: If a hearing impairment is detected and treated before 6 months of age, speech can develop nearly normally.

الأسئلة الشائعة

What happens if the hearing screening is abnormal?

An abnormal hearing screening does NOT automatically mean your baby has hearing problems. Amniotic fluid in the ear, restlessness, or background noise can affect results. A repeat test is recommended, and if abnormal again, detailed diagnostics with a paediatric audiologist.

Can ear infections cause permanent hearing damage?

Individual ear infections usually do NOT cause permanent damage. But with repeated infections or chronic glue ear, hearing can be temporarily impaired — and during a critical phase of speech development. Therefore: see an ENT specialist for frequent ear infections.