We tell you how you can know if your baby listens well and some of the most common causes of hearing loss in children.
From birth, babies develop their hearing ability over the weeks and months. Development is evident, but sometimes, when we notice certain signs or that it does not respond to some auditory stimuli, we think that our baby does not listen well. But how do you know then?
Typically, at birth, newborns are given a hearing test in hospitals to confirm that they hear well. If there is a problem, it is communicated to the doctors and parents. However, it is important to continue monitoring your hearing for the first three months.
If you think that your baby is not listening well, it is important to pay attention to these signs of hearing loss and, if they are positive, go to the specialist. Don’t worry, in the vast majority of cases the treatment they receive is very effective!
Signs of hearing loss in infants and children
- For the most part, newborns are startled or surprised to hear loud, sudden sounds.
- At around 3 months, the little ones are able to identify the voices of their parents.
- Before they are 6 months old, they are able to look in the direction where the sounds or voices are produced.
- Around 12 months they already manage to imitate sounds and repeat some of them, even saying some words like mom, dad, hello, goodbye, etc.
In addition to those points, if you still feel that your baby is not listening well, consider the following.
Causes of hearing loss in children
- He was born prematurely
- He remained in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Had a high bilirubin concentration and needed a transfusion
- You received medications that can cause hearing loss
- You have a family history of childhood hearing loss
- There were complications in childbirth
- He suffered frequent ear infections, meningitis or cytomegalovirus
- You were exposed to very loud sounds or noises, even for a short time.
Remember, the only real way to know if your baby is listening well or not is to go to his doctor to do the required tests. Do not medicate it or try treatments that you do not know. And most importantly, don’t forget that in the vast majority of cases treatments help them regain their hearing. Take care of them!