Hearing impairment
Signs that indicate your child may have a hearing difficulty
As a young baby, your child should start responding to your voice and be startled by loud noises. He should start to turn and look at familiar sounds (like a favourite TV programme). By a year old, your child should understand a few words and be able to say one or two words, even if it is as simple as ‘da da’. If at 18 months to two years, your child is not responding to sounds and words or trying to repeat them, you could speak to your GP or health visitor and get some advice.
With an older child, you may notice that they hear some things and not others, that they have the TV on loud, that they hold their ear forward when listening, that they start to struggle at school. You may also feel they are not paying attention or they tell you they can’t hear you. You child may also look at you intently when you’re speaking to them. They may be relying on mouth movements and visual clues as to work out what you are trying to say to them.
What to do if you are concerned
If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing or would like to request a hearing test, please talk to your GP, health visitor or other health professional you may be working with.
They may refer you to the children's hearing service (Audiology)