Infant Hearing Checklist

Testing Facts and Statistics

• About 35% of the 4,200 birthing hospitals in the US have Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programs.
• Only 65% of infants born in the US are screened for hearing problems.
• There are two main automated testing devices - both of which are simple, cost effective (between $35-$50) and non-intrusive (the baby can sleep through the procedure):

1. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): sensors placed on head and neck detect levels of brain activity generated in response to an auditory stimulus
2. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE): soft rubber probe placed within ear canal that measures sounds produced by ear in response to a stimulus

Talk to your doctor if you answer No to any of these questions:

Yes	No
		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 upward or turns toward a new sound
_____	_____	Responds to "no" and changes in 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 a loud voice
		6 to 10 Months
_____	_____	Knows 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
_____	_____	Responds to his/her own name, telephone ringing, someone's voice, even when out loud
		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
_____	_____	Comments, points to objects, vocalizes or uses word approximations
_____	_____	Understands simple "yes-no" questions (Are you hungry?)
_____	_____	Knows approximately 50 words (can be approximations of adult forms)
_____	_____	Understands simple phrases ("in the cup", "on the table")
_____	_____	Enjoys being read to
_____	_____	Points to pictures when asked
		18 to 24 Months
_____	_____	Uses 2-3 word sentences to talk about and ask for things
		24 to 36 Months
_____	_____	Understands "not now" and "no more"
_____	_____	Chooses things by size (big, little)
_____	_____	Follows simple directions such as "get your shoes" and "drink your milk"
_____	_____	Understands many action words (run, jump)
_____	_____	Begins to use articles ("a", "the") and word-endings (e.g., "-ing", "-ed")
_____	_____	Engages in short dialogues

Other questions to ask yourself if you think your child has a hearing problem: