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Signs That Babies Are Deaf

A baby's ability to hear is a significant element in the foundation of learning. Hearing screening, often performed after birth, is the most imperative method for determining hearing loss in babies, but parents and care givers should be attentive to early warning signs. Isolated development problems or signs of deafness may not be cause for worry, but it is still important to contact your pediatrician immediately if you notice any of these signs of deafness in your infant.

  1. Signs for Newborns to 3 Months

    • Newborn babies up to 3 months of age may show signs of hearing loss or deafness if they do not startle in reaction to sudden, loud noises or are not responsive to voices, music or sounds. Babies in this age group may also show signs of deafness if they do not move or wake up with nearby voices or sounds and are not soothed by soft sounds. According to the BabyCenter medical advisory team, if a baby doesn't begin to make vowel sounds such as "oh" or isn't quieted by familiar voices, hearing loss may be an issue.

    Signs for 4 to 8 Months

    • By the time your baby is 4 to 8 months of age, he should begin moving his eyes or turning toward sounds made from people and objects he is unable to see. Babies should also change expressions in reaction to the sound of a voice or loud noise when in a quiet environment. Signs of hearing loss may also include lack of enjoyment from sounds such as a squeaking noisemaker, ringing bells or a rattle shaking; inability to imitate sounds by 6 months; doesn't begin to babble to himself or others; and does not respond to changes in voice tones. If your baby seems to hear certain sounds but not others or pays attention to only vibrating noises and not sounds that are heard, contact your pediatrician to evaluate for deafness.

    Signs for 9 to 12 Months

    • Babies in the 9- to 12-month range should begin responding when called by name and to music by singing, babbling, listening and bouncing along. Babies this age should also vary pitch when babbling, turn quickly toward noises and make a variety of consonant sounds (b, g, m, p and so on) when babbling. Additional warning signs for deafness in the age range may include an inability to say single words such as "ma-ma" or "da-da"; inability to pronounce a variety of consonant sounds at the beginning of words; inability to understand simple words for common expressions such as "bye-bye"; and items such as "shoe" or commands such as "no" or "come."

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