Birth to 3 Months 

• Reacts to loud sounds
• Is soothed by your voice
• Turns head to you when you speak
• Is awakened by loud voices and sounds
• Smiles when spoken to
• Seems to know your voice, and quiets down if crying

3 to 6 Months

• Looks up or turns toward a new sound
• Responds to "no" and changes in your tone of voice
• Imitates his/her own voice
• Enjoys rattles and other toys that make sounds
• Begins to repeat sounds (such as "ooh", "aah", and "ba-ba")
• Becomes scared by loud voices

6 to 10 Months

• Responds to his/her own name, a telephone ringing, or someone's voice (even when these sounds are not loud)
• Knows the words for common things (cup, shoe) and sayings ("bye-bye")
• Makes babbling sounds, even when alone
• Starts to respond to requests such as "Come here"
• Looks at things or pictures when someone talks about them

10 to 15 Months

• Plays with own voice, enjoying the sound and feel of it
• Points to or looks at familiar objects or people when asked to do so
• Imitates simple words and sounds; may use a few single words meaningfully
• Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake

15 to 18 Months

• Follows simple directions, such as "Give me the ball"
• Uses words he/she has learned often
• Uses 2-3 word sentences to talk about and ask for things
• Knows 10-20 words

18 to 24 Months

• Understands simple yes/no questions ("Are you hungry?")
• Understands simple phrases ("in the cup", "on the table")
• Enjoys being read to
• Points to pictures when asked

24 to 36 months

• Understands "not now" and "no more"
• Chooses things by size (big, little)
• Follows simple directions such as "Get your shoes" or "Drink your milk"
• Understands many action words (run, jump)

Talk to your doctor if you think your child has a hearing problem.  The following are some common risk factors:

• Do others in your family, including brothers and sisters, have a hearing problem?
• Did the child's mother have medical problems in pregnancy or delivery (serious illness or injury, drugs or medications)?
• Was the baby born early (premature)?
• Did the baby have physical problems at birth?
• Does the child rub or pull on his/her ear(s) often?
• Has the child had scarlet fever?
• Has the child had meningitis?
• Has the child had multiple ear infections in the past year?
• Does the child have cold, allergies, and ear infections often?

For more information about hearing and hearing loss, or speech and language problems, call Idaho CareLine at 2-1-1, or write to:
Idaho Sound Beginnings
450 W. State St., 5th floor
Boise, ID 83720-0036