How do I tell if my child has hearing loss?

The signs of hearing loss will depend on your child's age. If you have an infant, have you noticed that your child doesn’t respond to loud noises, your baby isn’t babbling yet, or they’re babbling but not developing more speech sounds over time? These moments can be easy to overlook, especially since every child develops at their own pace, but small signs like these could be early indicators of hearing loss.

Even if your child passes their newborn screening, genetic hearing loss can gradually progress as your child gets older. Maybe your child gets frustrated during conversations, often asks people to repeat themselves, has trouble following directions, or can’t easily tell or notice where sounds are coming from (such as not looking up when a loud plane passes overhead). At school, this might look like daydreaming, falling behind academically, or struggling to connect with teachers and classmates. These challenges can be frustrating, not just for your child but for the whole family.

If you’re noticing any signs of hearing loss, reach out to your child’s pediatrician. They can help connect you with an audiologist and arrange a hearing evaluation to better understand what your child may be experiencing.

The sooner hearing loss is identified, the sooner you can access the right supports. For more information, see our full article Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) 101.