Sometimes it happens suddenly, after a serious illness. But if a child who has babbled and even spoken a few words stops making progress by age one or two—and actually stops babbling altogether—then parents should be concerned. The child's temperament may become more difficult; he or she may seem violent and highly unstable.
Detecting deafness in an infant is trickier. Warning signs include lack of interest in what happens around him, especially no reaction to familiar voices (particularly the mother's) and to everyday household sounds—the kitchen, the bottle. A complete absence of response points to profound deafness; reaction only to loud sounds suggests partial hearing loss. The child may also struggle to pronounce words correctly, though this is harder to spot. Mild hearing loss often goes unnoticed until school begins; before that, people assume the child is simply a daydreamer or lazy.
What to do if you suspect hearing loss
If you have concerns, an ear, nose, and throat specialist can confirm or rule out deafness based on the child's behavior. If hearing loss is confirmed, consult an audiologist as soon as possible—they are the only ones who can give a precise diagnosis of how severe the loss is and what caused it.
Ideally, bring the child to a university hospital clinic where a team of specialists can provide a complete evaluation. From there, you can identify the best educational approaches and appropriate programs without wasting time.
Hearing inattention
As soon as you notice hearing inattention in a child, consult a specialist. Testing should happen as early as possible.