300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 355-6000 My Child Has: Hearing Milestones Programs that treat this condition Habilitative Audiology Program   Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program   Diagnostic Audiology Program   Hearing problems may be suspected in children who are not responding to sounds or who are not developing their language skills appropriately. The following are some age-related guidelines that may help to decide if your child is having hearing problems. It is important to remember that not every child is the same, and children reach milestones at different ages. Consult your child's physician if you are suspicious that your child is not hearing appropriately. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and other experts list the following age-appropriate hearing milestones. Milestones related to hearing: Birth to 3 months reacts to loud sounds with startle reflex is soothed and quieted by soft sounds turns head to you when you speak is awakened by loud voices and sounds smiles in response to voices when spoken to seems to know your voice and quiets down if crying 3 to 6 months looks or turns toward a new sound responds to "no" and changes in tone of voice imitates his/her own voice enjoys rattles and other toys that make sounds begins to repeat sounds (such as ooh, aah, and ba-ba) becomes scared by a loud voice or noise 6 to 10 months responds to his/her own name, telephone ringing, someone's voice, even when not loud knows words for common things (cup, shoe) and sayings ("bye-bye") makes babbling sounds, even when alone starts to respond to request such as "come here" looks at things or pictures when someone talks about them 10 to 15 months plays with own voice, enjoying the sound and feel of it points to or looks at familiar objects or people when asked to do so imitates simple words and sounds; may use a few single words meaningfully enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake follows one step commands when shown by a gesture 15 to 18 months follows simple directions, such as "give me the ball" without being shown uses words he/she has learned often uses 2 to 3 word sentences to talk about and ask for things knows 10 to 20 words points to some body parts when asked 18 to 24 months understands simple "yes-no" questions (Are you hungry?) understands simple phrases ("in the cup," "on the table") enjoys being read to points to pictures when asked 24 to 36 months understands "not now" and "no more" chooses things by size (big, little) follows two step commands, such as "get your shoes and come here" understands "not now" and "no more" understands many action words (run, jump) The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.