Constance Brown Hearing Centers

Each year, approximately 6 in 1,000 babies are born with a hearing loss. Babies who cannot hear will have problems learning to talk. That is why all birthing hospitals in Michigan test babies' hearing before they leave the hospital. More than half the babies born with hearing problems have no family history of hearing loss. It is important to identify hearing problems as early as possible so that your baby has the best chance to develop normally.

Your baby's hearing can be tested at any age:

There are two types of newborn hearing screening tests. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) are measured with a tiny microphone and sent to a specially designed computer to determine your baby's hearing. Auditory Brainstem Response Testing (ABR) measures the baby's ability to hear soft sounds through tiny earphones. Your infant's brainwaves are measured to determine if sounds are heard normally. These tests are safe and fast. Most infants sleep during testing.

It is important to have your baby's hearing checked:

Not all babies pass an initial hearing screening and sometimes a baby is too active to test. Once in a while, a baby may even be discharged from the hospital before a hearing screening can be completed. When this happens, a follow-up hearing screening is recommended. It is important that you follow through with the recommendations of the hearing screening. Early identification is the goal of universal newborn hearing screening programs. Even a mild hearing loss can result in a language delay.

How often should your baby's hearing be tested?

If you have a family history of hearing loss your baby should be tested every year. Ear infections can also cause hearing loss. The hearing screening testing can ususally confirm normal hearing at the time of testing. It is possible however for hearing loss to develop later for a variety of reasons. Consult your audiologist or physician if you ever have concerns about your child's speech, language or hearing.

Children's Hearing Services Assistance provided by:
The Gary Sisters Foundation
Greater Kalamazoo United Way
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan
Widex Pediatric Hearing Assistance Program
and Individual Donors

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Speech, Language and Hearing Milestones
(times are approximate)

Two Months of Age

Startles at loud sounds
Quiets to familiar voice
Makes vowel sounds like "ohh", "ahh"

Four Months of Age

Starts to babble
Looks for sounds with eyes
Uses several voice sounds, such as squeals, whimpers and chuckles

Six Months of Age

Turns head toward sound
Begins to imitate speech sounds
Babbles ("ba-ba", "ma-ma", "ga-ga")

Nine Months of Age

Understands "no-no", "bye-bye"
Turns head toward soft sounds
Imitates speech sounds of others

Twelve Months of Age

Locates sounds on all levels
Correctly uses "ma-ma", "da-da"
Gives toy when asked for

Children's Hearing & Speech

Newborn Hearing

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Speech, Language and Hearing Milestones (times are approximate)

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Speech, Language and Hearing Milestones
(times are approximate)