Children learn speech and language from listening to other people talk. The first three years of life are especially crucial for this development as this is the period when the brain is rapidly developing and maturing. Therefore, having good hearing is especially important during this period of life. If a temporary, fluctuating or permanent hearing loss is present, the child may not get the full benefit of speech/language learning experiences. Consequently, critical delays in speech/language may occur.
As a parent, you are the best person to look for signs that suggest poor hearing. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes this when it states: “Any child whose parent expresses concern about whether the child hears should be considered for referral for behavioral audiometry without delay.” Parents should not be afraid to let their instincts guide them in requesting or independently arranging for an evaluation of hearing and their child’s speech language development.
Following is a checklist originally published by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders that may help you in knowing what to expect at each stage of speech and language development. It is important to remember this sheet represents the average age that most babies/children accomplish these skills and that some babies/children might not accomplish them until they reach the upper range.
Birth to 3 months:
Reacts to loud sounds
Calms down or smiles when spoken to
Recognizes your voice and calms down if crying
When feeding, starts or stops sucking in response to sound
Coos and makes pleasure sounds
Has a special way of crying for different needs
Smiles when he/she sees you
4 to 6 months
Follows sounds with his or her eyes
Responds to changes in the tone of your voice
Notices toys that make sounds
Pays attention to music
Babbles in a speech-like way and using many sounds, including ones that begin with p, b and m.
Laughs
Babbles when excited or unhappy
Makes gurgling sounds when alone or playing with you
7 months to 1 year
Enjoys playing peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Turns and looks in the direction of sounds
Listens when spoken to
Understands the words for common items such as “cup”, “shoe” or “juice”
Responds to requests (such as “come here”)
Babbles using long and short groups of sounds (“tata, upupup,bibibi”)
Babbles to get and keep attention
Communicates with gestures such as waving or holding up arms
Imitates different speech sounds
Has one or two words (“Hi”, “dog”, “Dada” or “Mama” by 1st birthday)
1 to 2 years
Knows a few parts of body and can point to them when asked
Follows simple commands (“roll the ball”) and understands simple questions “Where’s your shoe?”
Enjoys simple stories, songs and rhymes
Points to pictures, when named, in books
Aquires new words on a regular basis
Uses some one- or two-word questions (“Where kitty?” or “Go bye-bye?”)
Puts two words together (“More cookie”)
Uses many different consonant sounds in the beginning of words
2-3 years
Has a word for almost everything
Uses two-or three-word phrases to talk about and ask for things
Uses k, g, f, t, d and n sounds
Speaks in a way that is understood by family members and friends
Names objects to ask for them or direct attention to them
3-4 years
Hears you when you call from another room
Hears the television or radio at the same level as other family members
Answers simple questions “Who?” “What?” “Where?” and “Why?” questions
Talks about activities at daycare, preschool or friends’ homes
Uses sentences with four or more words
Speaks easily without repeating syllables or words
4-5 years
Pays attention to a short story and answers simple questions about it
Hears and understands most of what is said at home and school
Uses sentences that give many details
Tells stories that stay on topic
Communicates easily with other children and adults
Says most sounds correctly except for a few “l, s, r, v,z, ch, sh and th)
Uses rhyming words
Names some letters and numbers
Uses adult grammar
At HearMD, we provide hearing assessment for children from age 6 months and beyond. Please call us today to schedule an appointment at one of our offices.
*Information taken from NIDCD Fact Sheet – Hearing and Balance “Your Baby’s Hearing and Communicative Development Checklist”, https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/your-babys-hearing-and-communicative-development-checklist