The journey of hearing is a fascinating and vital part of your baby’s development. From the soft murmurs of your voice in the womb to their first giggles in response to your laughter, the development of hearing is key to their cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Here, we explore how your baby’s hearing develops, milestones to look out for, and how to protect their precious ears.
Hearing Development: From Womb to One Year
Hearing begins long before birth. At around 18 weeks of gestation, the inner ear starts forming, and by 24 weeks, the baby can hear sounds from outside the womb, although muffled. The sounds babies hear in utero are primarily those of the mother’s voice, along with heartbeat and digestive noises (Moore & Linthicum, 2007). By the third trimester, they recognize your voice and may even respond to music or loud noises.
After birth, their hearing improves rapidly. Newborns respond to loud or sudden noises by blinking, jerking, or startling and can distinguish their mother’s voice from others, showing sensitivity to the rhythm and melody of speech (Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, 2019). By six months, they start to localize sound, turning their heads toward noises. By their first birthday, many babies can say a few words, an indication of the connection between hearing and language development (Yoshinaga-Itano & Sedey, 2000).
Hearing Milestones to Expect
Birth to 1 Month
- Reacts to loud sounds with a startle reflex, such as blinking, jerking, or stiffening their body.
- Calms to familiar voices and sounds, indicating early auditory recognition.
1 to 3 Months
- Smiles or calms when spoken to.
- Begins cooing or gurgling, showing early attempts at vocal interaction.
- Calms down or smiles when spoken to, indicating early recognition of familiar voices.
- Recognizes familiar voices, particularly the mother’s, and makes cooing or gurgling sounds, showing early attempts at vocal communication.
4 to 5 Months
- Turns eyes or head toward sounds, demonstrating growing awareness of their surroundings.
- Shows curiosity about new sounds and watches speakers’ mouths when they talk.
5 to 6 Months
- Responds to changes in your tone of voice, detecting emotional cues in speech.
- Begins babbling and experimenting with different sounds, laying the foundation for future language skills.
- Responds to changes in your tone of voice, showing the ability to detect emotional cues in speech.
- Begins babbling and experimenting with different sounds, laying the foundation for future language skills.
7 to 9 Months
- Responds to their name and common words like “mama” or “no.”
- Begins imitating speech sounds and engages in vocal play.
9 to 12 Months
- Says simple words like “dada” or “baba,” signalling the start of verbal communication.
- Enjoys interactive games like peek-a-boo and responds to familiar everyday sounds.
- Imitates speech sounds and may say simple words like “dada” or “baba,” signalling the start of verbal communication.
- Enjoys interactive games like peek-a-boo, listening to songs, or rhymes, which enhance auditory and social engagement.
If your baby is not meeting these milestones, consult a paediatrician or audiologist. Early identification and intervention are key to addressing potential hearing concerns effectively, as highlighted in the newborn hearing screening guidelines (Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, 2019).
Protecting Your Baby’s Hearing
Babies’ hearing is delicate, and certain factors can increase the risk of hearing damage. Here are steps you can take to protect their hearing:
- Minimize Noise Exposure: Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as music, noisy toys, or household appliances. Keep the volume of devices at safe levels.
- Use Hearing Protection: If attending events with loud sounds, such as concerts or sports events, consider using baby-friendly earmuffs.
- Avoid Ear Infections: Ear infections can impact hearing. Keep your baby’s ears dry and consult a doctor at the first sign of infection.
- Be Cautious with Cotton Swabs: Never insert anything into your baby’s ears. Clean the outer ear gently with a soft cloth.
- Screen Early: Ensure your baby undergoes newborn hearing screening and follow-up tests if recommended. Early intervention can make a significant difference in managing any hearing concerns.
When to See an Audiologist
If you notice any of the following signs, it’s important to consult a paediatric audiologist promptly:
- Your baby does not respond to loud noises or startle at sudden sounds.
- They do not turn toward sounds by 4 to 6 months of age.
- They do not babble or imitate sounds by 6 to 9 months.
- There is a family history of hearing loss, or your baby has had repeated ear infections.
- They do not respond to their name by 9 to 12 months or show difficulty recognizing familiar sounds.
Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for babies with hearing difficulties. You can find an audiologist in your area by visiting the following website https://saslha.co.za/search/custom.asp?id=6120 or email admin@saslha.co.za.
- Your baby does not respond to loud noises or startle at sudden sounds.
- They do not turn toward sounds by 4 to 6 months of age.
- They do not babble or imitate sounds by 6 to 9 months.
- There is a family history of hearing loss, or your baby has had repeated ear infections.
- They do not respond to their name by 9 to 12 months or show difficulty recognizing familiar sounds.
Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for babies with hearing difficulties.
Final Notes
Hearing is a cornerstone of communication and learning. As parents, nurturing your baby’s auditory world is one of the greatest gifts you can provide. By understanding their hearing development, tracking milestones, and taking preventive measures, you can support their journey into the wondrous world of sound.
References
- Moore, J. K., & Linthicum, F. H. (2007). The human auditory system: A timeline of development. International Journal of Audiology, 46(9), 460-478.
- Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. (2019). Year 2019 position statement: Principles and guidelines for early hearing detection and intervention programs. Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, 4(2), 1-44.
- Yoshinaga-Itano, C., & Sedey, A. L. (2000). Early speech and language development in children with hearing loss. Pediatrics, 106(3), e43.
Prepared by: Dr Alida Naudé, Chairperson SASLHA Audiology Private Practice Committee
Visit: https://saslha.co.za/
