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
