This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If in doubt, contact your paediatrician or midwife.
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.
Possible Causes
- 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
What You Can Do
- 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
When to See a Doctor
- 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
Age-Specific Notes
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the hearing screening is abnormal?
Can ear infections cause permanent hearing damage?
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This article is for general information only. It does not replace individual medical advice. If you have concerns, contact your paediatrician, midwife, or call emergency services.