Learn what hearing milestones are typical in the first months, when newborns start hearing, and what it may mean if your baby is not reacting to sounds or turning toward voices yet.
Share what you’re noticing right now to get personalized guidance on newborn hearing milestones, normal sound responses, and whether follow-up may be helpful.
Babies begin hearing before birth, and after delivery they often recognize familiar voices, startle at sudden noises, or calm to a parent’s voice. In the first weeks, responses can be subtle and inconsistent, especially when a baby is sleepy, feeding, or focused on something else. That is why parents often search for newborn hearing development milestones by month or wonder how to tell if a newborn can hear. Looking at patterns over time can be more helpful than focusing on one moment.
A newborn may blink, startle, pause sucking, widen their eyes, or briefly change movement when hearing a loud or unexpected noise.
Many babies settle when they hear a parent speaking or singing, even before they are old enough to turn clearly toward sound.
In the first months, babies often become more alert to voices and everyday sounds, with responses growing easier to notice from week to week.
May startle to loud sounds, quiet to a familiar voice, or seem soothed by talking and singing. Responses are often brief and not consistent every time.
May become more attentive to voices, pause at sounds, and show clearer facial or body reactions when someone speaks nearby.
Many babies begin turning more noticeably toward voices or sounds. If you are wondering when should baby turn to sound, this is often when it becomes easier to see.
If your baby had a newborn hearing screening and you were told to return for follow-up, it is important to complete that next step even if your baby sometimes reacts to sound at home. Some babies with hearing differences still respond to certain noises or voices. Parents also often seek guidance when a baby does not startle, does not seem soothed by voices, or is not turning toward sound as expected in the first months.
Newborns spend much of the day sleeping or feeding, and they may not react much during those times even when hearing is typical.
A baby may respond more to sudden or louder sounds than to quiet background noise, making hearing milestones harder to spot.
Hearing responses become easier to observe as babies grow. A pattern over several weeks is usually more meaningful than one isolated moment.
Babies begin hearing before birth. After birth, many newborns can hear voices and sounds right away, but their responses may be subtle in the first days and weeks.
Possible signs include startling at sudden noises, pausing or changing movement when hearing sound, seeming soothed by a familiar voice, or becoming more alert when someone speaks nearby. These signs can be inconsistent early on.
Clear turning toward voices or sounds often becomes more noticeable around 3 to 4 months. Before that, babies may react in smaller ways such as blinking, startling, or quieting.
Yes, that can be normal in the early weeks. Sleep, hunger, feeding, and the type of sound can all affect how a newborn responds. What matters most is whether you see growing awareness of sound over time.
It is important to complete follow-up as recommended. Even if your baby seems to hear some sounds, follow-up helps clarify whether hearing development is on track and what support, if any, may be needed.
If you’re wondering whether your newborn’s responses to sound are typical, answer a few questions to get clear, supportive guidance based on your baby’s age and what you’re noticing.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
Developmental Milestones
Developmental Milestones
Developmental Milestones
Developmental Milestones