Bringing a child into the world can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming, so it is easy to see the stressful nature of having a newborn baby. You may visit the pediatrician regularly for checkups and immunizations, but focusing on a few hidden signs displayed by your baby is also essential. Considering 5 out of every 1000 babies are born with hearing loss, proper understanding is key to a diagnosis and treatment. If your baby is displaying one or more of the following signs, ask your pediatrician to perform a hearing test.
No Startling
Babies should startle when they hear a loud noise. This can occur while they are awake or while they are sleeping. In most instances, a startled baby will open their eyes wide and move their legs and feet as if they are jumping.
If your baby does not respond in any way to a loud noise, they may have hearing loss in one or both ears.
No Response to Music or Voices
Your baby should show some sort of expression when they hear music or your voice. This response may include opening their eyes while they sleep, puckering or opening their mouth, or moving their head and body.
Babies who do not respond to your voice with facial or body expression will likely have a hearing disability that should be addressed immediately.
No Cooing/Making Sounds
Your baby is not capable of using words, but they are able to communicate with you making sounds. Most babies will express themselves using cooing, babbling, and gurgling sounds.
If your baby is not using these sounds to communicate and express themselves after a few months of age, there may be an underlying issue. In addition, babies should start making vowel sounds at around 2 months of age. The sounds include "ah-ah" or "ooh-ooh," which is your baby's method of responding to you or expressing themselves.
As your baby ages, they should also be able to make other sounds. Single words, such as "dada" or "mama" should also be expressed by your baby before they turn a year old. The inability to make sounds and speak is a sure sign that your baby has a developmental delay or hearing issue.
With the right testing, your baby's hearing loss can be diagnosed and treated. This guide will give you a better understanding of the signs that will determine if your baby has a hearing issue.
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