Hearing loss is difficult enough for adults to handle. It can be especially problematic in babies, who rely on their hearing from the moment they are born. Hearing plays a crucial role in a child’s social and emotional development and is necessary for their speech and language skills. Untreated hearing loss in infants can lead to delays in the development of speech, language, and social coping skills. If you’re a Mount Pleasant parent, it’s important to learn what signs to look for. Early intervention can help prevent many of these issues and place your child on the right track for learning.
Causes of Infant Hearing Loss
Approximately two or three out of every 1,000 babies in Mount Pleasant are born with a hearing impairment. This may be the result of prematurity or other complications during the birth process. Other infants develop hearing loss soon after birth – a family history of hearing loss, frequent or chronic ear infections, exposure to very loud noises, and infectious viral and bacterial diseases all increase a child’s risk.
Most hospitals routinely screen a newborn’s hearing, but it’s important to remain vigilant and watch for problems following birth.
Signs of Hearing Loss in Infants
Babies and very young toddlers can’t yet communicate to you when something is wrong. It’s important to look out for key hearing milestones and take note of any abnormalities. The following warning signs may indicate a hearing problem in your infant.
Newborn to 3 months
- Doesn’t startle at loud or sudden sounds
- Doesn’t respond to sounds, voices, and music
- Doesn’t recognize familiar voices
- Doesn’t awaken when disturbed by nearby voices or other sounds
- Doesn’t make vowel sounds
- Isn’t soothed by soft sounds
4-8 months
- Doesn’t turn eyes or head in direction of sound
- Doesn’t change facial expressions when exposed to voice or loud noise in a quiet setting
- Doesn’t enjoy playing with a rattle or other toys that make sounds
- Doesn’t try to imitate sounds
- Doesn’t babble
- Doesn’t respond to “no” or other changes in tone of voice
9-12 months
- Doesn’t respond to name
- Doesn’t vary pitch when babbling
- Doesn’t respond to music
- Doesn’t imitate sounds or use simple words like “mama” or “bye-bye”
- Doesn’t respond to soft sounds such as “shush”
- Doesn’t make consonant sounds when babbling
Taken individually, these signs don’t necessarily mean your infant has a hearing problem. But if your child exhibits more than one of these indicators, or the behavior continues, we urge you to schedule an appointment with their pediatrician or an audiologist in Mount Pleasant as soon as possible. When it comes to your child’s speech and language development, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
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Our Charleston Area Audiologists Office Locations
North Mount Pleasant
9185 US-78
North Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 793-6500
Summerville
298 Midland Pkwy
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 459-8965
Windmill Station
2005 2nd Avenue
Summerville, SC 29486
(843) 459-8965