The Hearing Center

The Hearing Center
304 Detroit St.
LaPorte, IN 46350-2473
ph: 2193253770
fax: 2193258181
alt: 2193259877
thehearingcenteronline@yahoo.com

Hearing Loss and Children

Your Child's Hearing Development Checklist
(Silence Isn't Always Golden)

Infants and young children with hearing problems can have difficulty developing speech and language.

Some babies are born with hearing problems. Other children are born with normal hearing and begin to have hearing problems as they grow older.

You can help your child's doctor to decide if your child's hearing needs to be tested. Hearing problems can be temporary or permanent. Hearing problems can happen because of ear infections, injuries, or diseases.

If your child doesn't hear well or speak clearly, take action.

Read the hearing checklist. Find your child's age. Circle yes or no for every item. After you complete the checklist, show it to your child's doctor. Ask the doctor questions.

Your baby's hearing checklist:

Birth to 3 Months

Yes / No - Reacts to loud sounds.

Yes / No - Is soothed by your voice.

Yes / No - Turns head to you when you speak.

Yes / No - Is awakened by loud noises or sounds.

Yes / No - Seems to know your voice and quiets down if crying.

Yes / No - Smiles when spoken to.

3 to 6 Months

Yes / No - Looks upward or turns toward a new sound.

Yes / No - Responds to "no" and changes in tone of voice.

Yes / No - Imitates his/her own voice.

Yes / No - Enjoys rattles and other toys that make sounds.

Yes / No - Begins to repeat sounds (such as ooh, aah, and ba-ba).

Yes / No - Becomes scared by a loud voice.

6 to 10 Months

Yes / No - Responds to his/her own name, telephone ringing, someone's voice,

even when not loud.

Yes / No - Knows words for common things (cup, shoe) and sayings ("bye-bye").

Yes / No - Makes babbling sounds, even when alone.

Yes / No - Starts to respond to requests such as "come here."

Yes / No - Looks at things or pictures when someone talks about them.

10 to 15 Months

Yes / No - Plays with own voice, enjoying the sound and feel of it.

Yes / No - Points to or looks at familiar objects or people when asked to do so.

Yes / No - Imitates simple words and sounds; may use a few single words meaningfully.

Yes / No - Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.

15 to 18 Months

Yes / No - Follows simple directions, such as "give me the ball."

Yes / No - Uses words he/she has learned often.

Yes / No - Uses 2-3 word sentences to talk about and ask for things.

Yes / No - Knows 10 to 20 words.

18 to 24 Months

Yes / No - Understands simple "yes-no" questions (Are you hungry?).

Yes / No - Understands simple phrases ("in the cup," "on the table").

Yes / No - Enjoys being read to.

Yes / No - Points to pictures when asked.

24 to 36 Months

Yes / No - Understands "not now" and "no more."

Yes / No - Chooses things by size (big, little).

Yes / No - Follows simple directions such as "get your shoes" and "drink your milk."

Yes / No - Understands many action words (run, jump).

Talk to your doctor if you think your child has a hearing problem.

There are other contributing problems that can cause hearing loss in children. Other questions that you should ask yourself include:

Do others in the family, including brothers or sisters, have a hearing problem?
The child's mother had medical problems in pregnancy or delivery (serious illness or injury, drugs or medications).
The baby was born early (premature). Weight at birth:_______.
The baby had physical problems at birth.
The child rubs or pulls on ear(s) often.
The child had scarlet fever.
The child had meningitis.
The child had _____ ear infections in the past year.
The child has colds, allergies, and ear infections, once a month or more often.

Talk about the items you answered no too. If you think your child has trouble hearing, tell your doctor right away or make an appointment with are office for evaluation as soon as possible.

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