What Does Your Child Hear and Understand?
- HOP: The Hearing Outreach Program

Every child develops at their own rate. The stages below represent the ages that most children acquire hearing skills. Many children do not master these skills until they reach the upper age in each category.

If you have any concerns, contact your child’s primary care provider. 

Birth-3 months

  1. Startled by loud sounds
  2. Soothed by familiar voices

3-6 months

  1. Likes toys that make sounds
  2. Turns eyes and head to sound
  3. Quiets to caretaker’s voice

6-9 months

  1. Responds to their name
  2. Listens to music or singing
  3. Enjoys games like “peek-a-boo”
  4. Begins to wave when you say “bye-bye”

9-12 months

  1. Responds differently to happy or angry talking
  2. Turns head towards loud or soft sounds
  3. Recognizes words for common items, like “cup”, “shoe”, or “juice”
  4. Begins to respond to simple requests, “Come here”, “Want more?”

12-18 months

  1. Locates sound in all directions
  2. Bounces to music
  3. Points to a few body parts when asked
  4. Follow simple commands or questions, “Where are your shoes?”, “Give the baby a kiss”

18-24 months

  1. Recognizes sounds in the environment
  2. Listens to simple stories and songs
  3. Points to pictures in a book when named

See Related Links under the Resources section of the website for additional information regarding developmental milestones.

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