Hearing Development Chart

Use this chart to help evaluate your baby’s hearing development.
If you have any questions or concerns, ask an audiologist immediately.

Birth – 3 months

• Startles or jumps when there is a sudden sound.
• Stirs, wakes or cries when someone talks or makes a noise.
• Recognizes your voice and quiets when you speak.

3 – 6 months

• Turns eyes towards interesting sounds.
• Appears to listen.
• Turns head to search for source of a voice.
• Awakes easily to sounds.
• Anticipates feeding by hearing familiar sounds (rattling of bottles, pots and pans, etc.).
• Enjoys rattles and noise-making toys.

6 – 12 months

• Reacts to music by cooing.
• Responds to own name.
• Turns head towards soft sounds.
• Looks to correct person when words “mommy” or “daddy” are said.
• Understands “no” and “bye-bye.”
• Begins to imitate speech sounds (babbles).

12-15 months

• Says first words, such as “Da-Da, “Ma-Ma” or “bye-bye.”
• Knows names of favorite toys and can point to them when asked.
• Likes rhymes and jingles.

15-20 months

• Can follow simple directions (“put the block in the box”).
• Recognizes body parts when named (hair, mouth, nose, etc.).
• Asks for wants by naming “milk,” “cookie,” etc.
• Speaks 10-20 words.

20-24 months

• Begins combining words such as “go bye bye car” and “juice all gone.”
• Refers to self by name.
• Enjoys being read to.
• Shows interest in the sounds of radio and television.

24-36 months