Below are important developmental milestones related to hearing that should occur with children:

Birth to 3 months

1. Startles in response to loud sounds
2. Seems to recognize your voice
3. Quiets or smiles when spoken to

4 to 6 months

1. Babbles with many different sounds
2. Moves eyes in direction of sounds
3. Notices toys that make sounds
4. Vocalizes excitement and displeasure

7 months to 1 year

1. Listens when spoken to
2. Imitates different speech sounds
3. Enjoys games like peek-a-boo

1 to 2 years

1. Points to some body parts when asked
2. Says more words every month
3. Listens to simple stories, songs, and rhymes
4. Puts two words together (“more juice”)

2 to 3 years

1. Understands differences in meaning (“on-in”)
2. Has a word for almost everything
3. Often asks for objects by naming them

3 to 4 years

1. Hears when you call from another room
2. Talks about activities at school or a friend’s home
3. Speaks in a way that people outside the family can usually understand

5 to 6 years

1. Pays attention and can answer questions about a short story
2. Uses the same grammar as the rest of the family
3. Communicates easily with other children and adults