Hearing Tests

At your baby's first developmental check, at between six and eight weeks, your doctor will want to know whether you have any concerns about your baby's hearing and how he responds to your voice at home. You should mention if there is a close family history of hearing problems. If there is any concern, your baby can be referred to a hearing clinic.

At eight or nine months, your baby will have his next developmental check and this will include a screening test of your baby's hearing carried out by your health visitor. By now the response to sounds should be obvious, turning his head when you speak to him and responding to different noises of varying pitch and intensity. Both ears will be tested to identify anything previously missed.

If your child is deaf or partially deaf, his speech may not progress past the babbling stage and you may notice that he becomes quieter as he gets older. Any concerns about your child's hearing should be discussed with your doctor as soon as they occur.