Hearing Information:
Tutorials/Education
- How We Hear?
- Hearing Loss
Pediatric Hearing:
Birth to three years of age is an especially important period for speech and language development, and good hearing is a critical element in that development. Infants and young children cannot tell you when they do not hear well, and often do not show obvious symptoms. It is important to rule out hearing loss whenever a child does not reach normal developmental milestones, especially for speech, language and hearing. The milestone chart below was developed by the American Speech Language Hearing Association. A hearing assessment is recommended if your child does not show the appropriate behaviors according to his or her age.
|
AGE
|
HEARING BEHAVIOR
|
SPEECH BEHAVIOR
|
| Birth |
Listens to speech |
Makes "cooing" or pleasure sounds |
| 0 - 3 Months | Turns eyes toward speaker Smiles when spoken to Recognizes voice/quiets if crying Stops activity to attend to unfamiliar sound or voice |
Cries diferently for different needs Repeats same sounds frequently Smiles when sees you |
| 4 - 6 Months | Responds to "no" and tone
of voice Turns head/looks for source of voice or new sounds Notices toys that make sound Pays attention to music |
More speech-like and varied sounds
(p,b,m) Makes sounds or gestures when wants something |
| 7 months - 1 year | Enjoys games like "peek-a-boo" Turns/looks up when called; localizes soft sounds Listens when spoken to Recognizes words for familiar items like "juice", "shoe" Begins to respond to simple requests like "More juice?" |
Uses speech or non-crying sounds to
get and keep attention Imitates different speech sounds Has 1 or 2 words; may not be clear Babbling has both short & long groups of sounds |
| 1 - 2 years | Points to pictures in a book when
named Points to a few body parts when asked Follows simple commands ("come here", "roll the ball") Listens to simple stories, songs and rhymes |
Uses some 1-2 word questions Says more words every month Puts 2 words together Uses more & different consonant sounds at beginning of words |
| 2 - 3 years | Understands simple meaning differences
(up-down, in-on) Recognizes/notices sounds (phone ring, dog bark, doorbell) Follows 2-step command ("get the book and put it on the table") |
Has a word for most things in his/her
surroundings; asks for objects by name Uses 2-3 word "sentences" Speech can be understood by familiar listeners most of the time |
| 3 - 4 years | Hears/responds when called from another
room Hears TV/radio at same volume as other family members Understands simple "who, what, where?" questions |
Uses sentences having 4 or more words Talks easily without repeating syllables or words Talks about activities outside of home Can be usually understood by people outside the family |
| 4 - 5 years | Attends to short story & can answer
simple questions about it Others outside family think child hears well Hears and understands most of what is said at home/school |
Uses sentences giving lots of details Tells stories that stick to the topic Says most sounds correctly Uses adult-like grammar Voice sounds clear Communicates well with kids & adults |
An inability to perform an age-appropriate milestone
may be a warning sign of hearing loss. It is not uncommon to mistake hearing
loss in young children for other problems such as a learning disability
or attention difficulty. While a combination of these problems may be
present, it is important (and relatively easy) to rule out hearing loss
as a factor.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for informational use only
and is not intended to be used as a substitute for evaluation, consultation
or diagnosis by a licensed physician or licensed audiologist. Further,
it is not intended to be all-inclusive. Always consult with your audiologist
and primary care physician regarding matters related to hearing.
