Normal Hearing Development in Children

Prenatal stimulation The human foetus possesses rudimentary hearing from 20 weeks of gestation. This hearing will develop and mature during the remainder of gestation. The fetus is able to hear sounds outside the mother’s body, although he or she is able to hear low-frequency sounds much better than high-frequency sound

Hearing: The first two important years The first two year is the time during which hearing develops in children. It is important for parents to be able to recognize signs of a hearing problem as early as possible and seek medical attention if there are any concerns. Here is a guide of signs of normal hearing development by age through the first 2 years of life:

By 4 months of age a baby should: · Move or react when someone speaks or in response to any noise · Startle when there is a very loud noise

By seven months a baby should: Turn his/her head towards a voice or a noise(when a parent calls even without being seen) Stir or move in response to a noise or voice Startle when there is a large sound

By 9 months a baby should: Turn his/her head to find out where a sound is coming from Turn around if a parent is calling from behind Stir or move in response to voice or any sound Startle when there is a very loud noise

At 12 months a baby should: Turn his/her head in all directions and show an interest in a person's voice or a particular sound Repeat sounds that parents make Startle in response to a loud noise

0-4 months Startle to sudden or loud sounds. Begin to localise sounds with eyes or head movements 3-6 months Interest in different sounds. Experiment with making own sounds. Seemingly recognise familiar voices months Babble. Begin to understand simple words such as "mommy" and "bye-bye". Begin to follow simple instructions.

12-18 months Words begin to form from the babble. Can use around 20 words and understand around 50 words. 2 years Can usually speak in simple sentences using a vocabulary of around words. Enjoy being read to and can identify and name many things in picture books 3-4 years Use words and sentences to express needs, questions and feelings. Vocabulary, pronunciation and understanding improve markedly during these years