Developmental milestones
From as soon as right after birth, a baby should show signs of responding to sounds. A newborn will be startled by sudden noises and as they get a few months older will be able to turn their head towards sounds they can’t see. You’ll know that your baby might have hearing issues if they are falling behind on milestones in their language development. For example, most babies will start vocalizing at two months old, and move on to babbling and imitating sounds after six months. By their first birthday, if they haven’t said their first word or have started saying “ma-ma” and “da-da” it could be a sign that they are missing out on language development because of hearing problems.
See an audiologist
It’s never too early or too late to take your baby to an audiologist. Many hearing problems can be detected early, and for those that develop later it is good to establish a relationship with an audiologist who will be able to spot any issues in your child as they get older. Taking your baby to an audiologist is important for answering any questions that your pediatrician may not be able to answer as thoroughly.
Ways to help
Protect your child’s hearing by investing in some sound-blocking headphones that are specifically designed for infants. Use these headphones any time you plan on taking your baby to a noisy environment, such as a public event. The headphones will protect their hearing and also reduce their anxiety if the baby is not used to crowds where they could be overwhelmed. Think about how your baby’s ears are more delicate and sensitive than yours so be aware not to have the TV too loud or the volume too high on your car radio. As adults, we naturally begin to lose our hearing as we age so we might have the volume higher than we realize.
Contact Bay Area Audiology Today for Your Hearing Care!
If you are concerned about hearing loss or seeking hearing evaluations, tinnitus evaluations, or hearing aid assistance, our doctors are ready to help. We are passionate about helping all of our patients improve their quality of life through better hearing. We also believe that patient education is critical, so you won’t be lead through endless sales pitches at our office. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you hear even better, contact us at (410) 838-4327 or online. For more hearing tips and articles, follow Bay Area Audiology on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.