Hearing Checklist From Birth To 3 Years

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Stages to look for in your child's hearing development.

Birth to 3 months

  • Quiets when sound approaches or when parents' voices are heard.
  • Reacts to loud sounds by blinking, moving or crying.

3 to 6 months

  • Looks to speaker's voice.
  • Turns head to the source of a voice.
  • Enjoys rattles and noise-making toys.

6 to 10 months

  • Reacts to music by cooing.
  • Responds to own name.
  • Looks to the correct person when words like "Mommy" or "Daddy" are said.
  • Shows understanding of common words ("no", "bye", etc.).
  • Babbles with sounds like "ba", "da", "ma".

10 to 15 months

  • Knows names of favorite toys and can point to them when asked.
  • Likes rhymes and jingles.
  • Imitates simple words and sounds.

15 to 20 months

  • Can follow simple directions ("Go get your shoes").
  • Asks for things by name ("blanket", "cookie", "teddy bear").
  • Imitates simple words and sounds.
  • Speaks with a vocabulary of 10 to 20 words.

20 to 24 months

  • Begins combining words such as "More juice", "Mommy home?", or "Go bye-bye car".
  • Refers to self by name.
  • Enjoys being read to.
  • Shows interest in the sounds of radio, television and stereo.

24 months to 3 years

  • At 24 months: speaks with a vocabulary of about 270 words, increasing each day.
  • Wants to communicate to express needs and interests and tell experiences.
  • Is frustrated when adults don't understand.
  • By age three, has a vocabulary around 1000 words, 80% of which should be intelligible to strangers. Some sounds will be mispronounced ("th", "r", "l").
Last reviewed on Nov 29, 2023 request edits
Mississippi State Department of Health 570 East Woodrow Wilson Dr Jackson, MS 39216 866‑HLTHY4U Contact and information

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