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Supporting Your Child’s Hearing: What Parents Should Know

Your newborn’s hearing begins to develop in utero and is the most developed of all their senses at birth. Infants begin to hear your heartbeat, your voice, and even your music choice before they are born. From the beginning, hearing plays an important role in how infants and toddlers learn, connect, and communicate.

In the early months, your baby begins to recognize familiar voices and responds to sounds by startling, turning their head, or calming when they hear a caregiver. By toddlerhood, children are listening, understanding, imitating sounds, following directions, and experimenting with words. Because hearing and communication are so closely connected, identifying hearing concerns early can help children get the support they need as they develop.

What Are Some Signs of a Hearing Concern?

Hearing loss can occur at any age, and sometimes the signs can be subtle. Children also develop at different rates, so noticing one behavior does not necessarily mean your child has a hearing problem. However, it is worth talking with your child’s healthcare provider if you notice a pattern of concerns or feel that your child is not responding to sounds in ways you would expect.
 
Some things parents and caregivers can look for include:
 
  • A baby who does not startle or react to loud sounds.
  • Not turning toward or looking for the source of a sound as they get older.
  • Not responding consistently to their name or familiar voices.
  • Seeming to hear some sounds but not others.
  • Frequently needing things repeated or seeming to have difficulty following simple directions.
  • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
  • Watching a speaker’s face or lips very closely to understand what is being said.
  • Frequently saying “what?” or “huh?” or asking others to repeat themselves.
  • Changes in hearing or speech after an ear infection or illness.

If your child is not meeting expected speech or communication milestones, hearing is one factor that may need to be considered. A hearing evaluation can help determine whether hearing is contributing to a child’s communication difficulties.

It is also important to remember that hearing concerns are not always obvious. A child may be able to hear some sounds but have difficulty hearing others, particularly softer sounds or speech in a noisy environment.

Protecting Your Child’s Hearing

Protecting your child’s hearing is another important part of supporting healthy development. Keep volume levels low on televisions, music players, headphones, and other devices, and avoid prolonged exposure to loud sounds whenever possible. A good rule of thumb is that if you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone standing nearby, the environment may be too loud for a child’s unprotected hearing.

When loud environments cannot be avoided, consider using properly fitted, child-sized hearing protection such as protective earmuffs. Ear protection can be especially helpful at events and activities where loud sounds are expected.

Activities that may expose children to potentially harmful levels of noise include:
  • Auto races
  • Fireworks shows
  • Music concerts
  • Motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs
  • Loud sporting events
  • Power tools and machinery
  • Exposure to discharging firearms

Creating healthy listening habits early can help children learn to recognize that protecting their hearing is important.

When Should You Talk With Your Child’s Healthcare Provider?

If you have concerns about your child’s hearing, speech, or language development, don’t hesitate to bring them up with your child’s primary care provider. You know your child best, and sharing what you have noticed can help your child’s healthcare team determine whether additional evaluation is needed.
 
Your child’s provider may recommend a hearing screening or a more comprehensive hearing evaluation, depending on your child’s age, symptoms, and medical history.
 

Early identification of hearing difficulties can make a meaningful difference because hearing plays such an important role in communication and learning. When a hearing concern is identified, families can work with healthcare and hearing professionals to determine what support may be appropriate for their child.

Raising Awareness About Children’s Hearing

Whether your child is a newborn, learning their first words, or becoming an enthusiastic storyteller, paying attention to how they respond to sounds and communication can be an important part of supporting their development.
 
If you have concerns about your child’s hearing, speech, or language, talk with your child’s primary care provider. When it comes to hearing, early attention to a concern is always worthwhile.

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