Checklist to Monitor the Hearing Development of a Child

Newborn babies as well as children are checked routinely for problems with their hearing for identifying problems early on in their stage of development. Although severe hearing problems during infancy stage are rare, early testing makes certain that any problem are picked up and managed as soon as possible.

It’s essential that hearing problems are identified early because any problem may affect language and speech development, education development and social skills.

Read more about Importance of Conducting Hearing Tests in Newborns

Routine hearing tests

Shortly after the baby is born, they have their hearing tested. The screening is carried out before the mother leaves the maternity unit. However, in some areas it is carried out at home. If the baby doesn’t pass through the hearing screen, he/she is referred to a reputed audiologist for more tests. If there isn’t any reason to get bothered about after the paediatric hearing test has been conducted, the parents will be given a checklist to monitor the hearing development of their child. The checklist usually outlines the sounds, which babies make and the sounds, which they must respond to as they become older. 

A baby’s hearing must develop in the following way over the 1st year of life:

• Right from birth-should jump hearing loud noises
• One month of age-must start noticing sudden as well as prolonged sounds 
• Four months old-must show excitement at sounds and smile in response to the sound of a known voice 
• Seven to nine months-should babble, gurgle and coo and turn to a known voice across the room or to quiet noises made on each of the sides
• One year old-should respond to a few words like their name 

When the child is between 2 and 21/2 years old, parents usually take their child to a doctor again for reviewing their general health and development. The review includes checking the child’s hearing as well as speech development in this stage.

Most of the children also have another routine paediatric hearing test when they start school at around 4-5 years old.

However, if your baby’s hearing hasn’t been tested after he or she was born, arrange for an appointment with a reputed audiologist in your area now!