Children's hearing

Early detection of hearing loss is important. Babies use their hearing and voice to communicate long before their first words emerge. Undiagnosed hearing loss makes learning to speak more difficult.

Hearing loss can be permanent or temporary and can be caused by many different factors, such as birth difficulties, family history or middle ear infections. Middle ear infections are common in infancy and in children with Down Syndrome - they can contribute to temporary hearing loss and affect a child's learning and behaviour.

Ages and stages of normal hearing and speech development

Before birth

• Can hear low-pitched sounds while in the womb
• Are familiar with their mother's voice

One month

• Stops whimpering and turns towards a soothing voice (unless screaming or feeding)
• Coos in response to mother's talk from five to six weeks of age
• Startled by sudden noises

Three months

• Quietens or smiles to the sound of their mother's voice (unless screaming or feeding)
• Vocalises delightedly when spoken to or pleased
• Starting to use sound to predict what will happen next
• Often sucks or licks lips in response to sounds of preparation for feeding
• Shows excitement at the sound of approaching voices, footsteps and running bath water

Six months

• Turns immediately to the sound of mother's voice across the room
• 'Talks' to self and others using sing-song vowel sounds and single or double syllables, such as a-a, muh, adah
• Beginning to respond to different emotional tones in mother's voice

Nine months

• Uses hearing to learn about the world around them
• Very interested in everyday sounds, especially voices
• Uses voice to interact with others - takes turn in 'conversation' and learns you can use your voice to get attention
• Vocalises deliberately to let people know they are friendly or annoyed
• Shouts to attract attention, listens, then shouts again
• Babbles loudly and tunefully in long repetitive strings of syllables - dad-dad, mum-mum, agaga
• Listens and learns that you can play with your voice - understands no and bye-bye, likes to imitate adults' playful sounds

Based on information from From Birth to Five Years, Children's Developmental Progress, Mary D. Sheridan, NFER 1983.

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