Hearing problems can drastically affect children in their learning and social environments. The most significant impact is on:

• Vocabulary
• Sentence structure
• Speaking
• Academic achievement
• Social functioning

The following is a Checklist for Determining if your Child has a Hearing Problem. If you answer no to any of the questions below your child may need a hearing evaluation.

Birth to 3 Months:

• Does your child react to loud sounds?
• Is your child soothed by your voice?
• Does your child smile when spoken to?
• Does your child seem to know your voice and quiets down if he or she is upset?
• Does your child turn their head to you when you speak?
• Does your child awake during loud sounds and voices?

3 to 6 Months:

• Does your child enjoy toys that make loud sounds or music?
• Is your child frightened by loud noises?
• Does your child try to repeat sound such as aah, ooh, baba?
• Does your child imitate his or her own voice?
• Does your child look up or turn toward the direction of new sounds?

6 to 10 Months:

• Does your child make babbling sounds, even when by themselves?
• Does your child look at pictures or things when someone talks about them?
• Does your child know the meaning of words such as “hi” or “bye-bye?”
• Does your child respond to his or her own name and common sounds in the home (telephone ringing, voices)?
• Is your child beginning to respond to “come here?” Does your child respond to “no” and or the change of tone in your voice?

10 to 15 Months:

• Does your child look at or point to a familiar objects or people when asked?
• Does your child enjoy games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake?
• Does your child play with his or her own voice, enjoying the sound and feel of it?
• Does your child imitate words or sounds?
• Does your child speak single words meaningfully?

15 to 18 Months:

• Does your child know 10 to 20 words?
• Does your child say words such as “mama”, “dada”, “bye-bye?”
• Does your child follow simple directions, such as “hand me the cup?”
• Does your child use words or sounds to indicate questions or excitement?

18 to 24 Months:

• Does your child enjoy being read to?
• Does your child understand simple phrases as “in the bowl” or “on the table?”
• Does your child point to pictures when asked?
• Does your child understand simple yes or no questions like “are you thirsty?”

24 to 36 Months:

• Does your child understand what big vs. little means?
• Does your child follow simple instructions such as “eat your food” or “bring me the toy?”
• Does your child understand many action words such as sit or stand up?