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Know The Signs Of Hearing Loss, Act Early, Prevent Speech Delay

We had the pleasure of having Cristina Senter- an Italian designer, conduct a workshop for our DastKhat department. A 3-hour long interactive workshop was the perfect blend of creativity and artwork from two different cultures of the world.

How To Detect Your Child May Be Facing A Hearing Loss:​

As your child grows older, there are certain signs that your child shows as proof of normal child development. The child learns to speak only if he is able to hear well. Usually parents get their babies hearing tested after birth, but there are many who do not. As time passes a child develops his language upon hearing and familiarizing with different sounds in his surroundings. If your child doesn’t show any or some of the following signs, you should definitely get your child’s hearing tested by your pediatrician today.

From birth to 4 months:

  • Calms on hearing a soft sound or a familiar voice
  • Startles at sudden loud sounds
  • Responds to your voice (coos, smiles or babbles)
  • Responds to your voice (coos, smiles or babbles)
  • Makes vowel sounds like “ooh” by two months

From 4 to 8 months:

  • Responds by turning face or eyes towards a sound that can’t be seen
  • Tries to imitate sounds by 6 months
  • Responds to sounds that can be heard and felt both (not just the vibration of a cell phone)
  • Starts making consonants
  • Babbles back to self or others who speak to him
  • Enjoys the sounds of a shaking rattle or bells or toys that make sounds in general
  • Responds to “No” or change in tones of voice
  • Squeals or laughs

From 9 to 12 months: ​

  • Responds when called by his name
  • Looks where you point
  • Responds to sounds that can be heard and felt both (not just the vibration of a cell phone)
  • Starts calling names like “ma-ma” and “da-da”
  • Varies pitch while babbling
  • Responds quickly to soft sounds like “shush”
  • Understands common commands (like “look here” or “come here”) and expressions (like “Bye bye”)
  • Points at things like a plane or a bird
  • Responds to musical sounds by clapping, dancing or singing along

From 12 to 15 months: ​

  • Uses his own voice to direct or attract attention
  • Is able to put a couple of words together
  • Listens to stories or rhymes very keenly
  • Babbles as if talking
  • Follows commands

An older child may face hearing difficulty as well. In older children, it is easier to recognize a hearing loss because they often ask you to repeat what you said, respond late when you call for them, or watch TV at a high volume. Signs similar to these mean your child needs medical help as soon as possible!

Screening and Diagnosis:

Hearing screening can easily diagnose whether your child is suffering from hearing loss. It is a very easy and painless procedure and takes only a few minutes time. Upon diagnosis, learning sign language, taking help of medical assistance such as hearing aids, or opting for surgeries (to correct some hearing loss) are some of the options parents can choose.

It is important to know the signs, act early and prevent speech delay.