Healthy Child Development

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There are several stages of healthy hearing development that are marked by key abilities.  

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0-3 months

• Startles, cries or wakens to loud sounds

• Moves head, eyes, arms and legs in response to a noise or voice

• Smiles when spoken to, or calms down; appears to listen to sounds and talking

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4-6 months

• Responds to changes in your voice tone

• Looks around to determine where new sounds are coming from

• Responds to music and people’s voices

• Begins to make speech-like sounds e.g., buh, ma, boo

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6-9 months

• Turns or looks up when his name is called Responds to the word “no”

• Listens when spoken to

• Knows common words like “cup”, “shoe”, “mom”

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9-12 months

• Responds to requests such as “Want more?” “Come here.” “ Where’s the ball?”

• Babbles sounds in a series e.g., bababa, dadada, mememe

• Says first word

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12 months -2 years

• Turns toward you when you call their name from behind

• Follows simple commands

• Tries to ‘talk’ by pointing, reaching and making noises

• Knows sounds like a closing door and a ringing phone

• Listens to simple stories, rhymes, and sings

• Imitates sounds and words

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2-3 years

• Listens to a simple story

• Follows two requests (e.g., Get the ball and put it on the table.)

• Learns new words every week

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3-4 years

• Hears you when you call from another room

• Listens to the television at the same loudness as the rest of the family

• Answers simple questions

• Speaks clearly enough to be understood most of the time by family

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4-5 years

• Pays attention to a story and answers simple questions

• Hears and understands most of what is said at home and school

• Family, teachers, child care providers, and others think he hears fine

• Speaks clearly enough to be understood most of the time by anyone

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... If a child is missing one or more of these expected age outcomes, consider this a red flag