My husband has had a hearing loss since he was a child. How will I know if our baby also has a hearing problem? – Joyce A family history of hearing loss does put a newborn at higher risk for having a hearing loss. But rest assured, your baby's hearing can be monitored closely so that if there is a problem, treatment can begin as soon as possible. In most states, hospitals do a newborn hearing screening before the baby goes home. If it's not done then, or the baby was born at home or a birthing center, it's important to get a newborn hearing screening within the first 3 weeks of life. A baby who doesn't pass a hearing screening doesn't necessarily have a hearing loss. A retest to confirm the hearing loss should be done within the first 3 months of life. If it confirms a problem, doctors should start treatment by the time the child is 6 months old. Even if your newborn passes the initial hearing screening, watch for signs that he or she is hearing well. Hearing milestones that should be reached in the first year of life include: Most newborns startle or "jump" to sudden loud noises. By 3 months, a baby usually recognizes a parent's voice. By 6 months, babies can usually turn their eyes or head toward a sound. By 12 months, babies can usually imitate some sounds and produce a few words, such as "Mama" or "bye-bye." A child may be at higher risk for hearing loss if he or she: was born prematurely stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was given medicines that can lead to hearing loss had complications at birth has frequent ear infections had infections that can damage hearing, such as meningitis or cytomegalovirus Kids should have their hearing evaluated at regular checkups. Hearing tests usually are done at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 18 years, and at other times if there's a concern. If you have any concerns about your baby's hearing, talk with your doctor. Back to Articles Related Articles Hearing Evaluation in Children Hearing problems can be overcome if they're caught early, so it's important to get your child's hearing screened early and checked regularly. Read More Your Newborn's Hearing, Vision, and Other Senses Your newborn is taking in first sights, sounds, and smells while learning to explore the world through the senses. What are your baby's responses to light, noise, and touch? Read More Your Baby's Hearing, Vision, and Other Senses: 1 Month Your baby is experiencing the first sights, sounds, and smells of the world through all five senses. What are your baby's responses to light, noise, touch, and familiar faces? Read More Cochlear Implants Cochlear implant can help many kids with severe hearing loss. Find out how they work and who can get them. Read More Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) Some kids have hearing loss due to auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), a problem in the transmission of sound from the inner ear to the brain. Read More Ear Injuries Ear injuries not only can affect a child's hearing, but sense of balance too. That's because our ears also help keep us steady on our feet. Read More Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test An auditory brainstem response (ABR) test is a safe and painless test that gives health care providers information about possible hearing loss. Read More Auditory Processing Disorder Kids with APD can't understand what they hear in the same way other kids do. That's because their ears and brain don't fully coordinate. But early diagnosis and a variety of strategies can help them. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.