Este artículo es solo informativo y no reemplaza la consulta médica. Si tienes dudas, contacta a tu pediatra o matrona.
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.
Posibles Causas
- 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
Qué Puedes Hacer
- 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
¿Cuándo Consultar al Médico?
- 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
Notas Según la Edad
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.
Preguntas Frecuentes
What happens if the hearing screening is abnormal?
Can ear infections cause permanent hearing damage?
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Este artículo es solo informativo. No reemplaza el asesoramiento médico individual. Si tienes preocupaciones, contacta a tu pediatra, matrona o llama a urgencias.