From newborn hearing milestones to toddler hearing milestones, see what responses to sound are common at each stage and when it may help to look more closely at your child’s hearing and communication development.
About this assessment
Answer a few questions about how your baby or toddler reacts to sounds, voices, and everyday noise to get personalized guidance based on hearing milestones by age.
Babies begin hearing before birth, and after delivery many newborns already react to sound. In the early weeks, parents often notice startling to loud noise, calming to a familiar voice, or becoming more alert during speech. As babies grow, hearing milestones by age usually include turning toward sound, noticing changes in tone, and connecting voices with people they know. Because every child develops at a slightly different pace, it helps to look at patterns over time rather than one moment by itself.
Newborn hearing milestones often include startling to sudden loud sounds, quieting or seeming comforted by a parent’s voice, and becoming more attentive when spoken to. By 2 month hearing milestones and 3 month hearing milestones, some babies also show clearer awareness of familiar voices and may pause, blink, or change movement when they hear sound.
Around this stage, many babies begin turning their eyes or head toward interesting sounds. Common 6 month hearing milestones include noticing toys that make noise, responding differently to happy versus firm tones of voice, and becoming more engaged with talking, singing, and babbling back during interaction.
By 12 month hearing milestones, many babies respond more consistently to their name, look toward familiar words or routines, and understand simple phrases such as 'come here' or 'bye-bye.' They may also copy sounds, use more varied babbling, and show stronger connection between hearing and early communication.
Toddlers often recognize names of familiar people or objects, follow simple spoken directions, and use hearing to support first words. They may point when asked about known items and react quickly to everyday sounds around the home.
At this age, many toddlers understand more words than they can say, respond to simple questions, and notice sounds from another room. They may enjoy songs, imitate words they hear, and combine hearing with growing language skills.
Toddler hearing milestones later on often include following two-step directions, identifying sounds in the environment, and understanding more detailed speech. If a toddler seems to miss spoken language often, needs frequent repetition, or has delayed speech along with hearing concerns, it may be worth getting more individualized guidance.
Many parents ask when should baby respond to sound, and the answer depends on age and the type of sound. Newborns may react with a startle, pause, or change in movement. By a few months, babies often become more alert to voices and may turn toward sound. Later, they usually respond more clearly to their name, familiar words, music, and everyday noises. If your child rarely reacts to loud sounds, does not seem to notice voices, or hearing concerns appear alongside delayed babbling or speech, it can help to look at the full developmental picture.
Your baby or toddler does not startle to loud noise, rarely turns toward voices, or seems unaware of sounds that usually get a reaction from children their age.
Some children respond in one setting but not another. If your child often seems to hear only certain sounds, needs repeated calling, or reacts less than expected over time, that pattern can be useful to track.
If babbling, first words, or language growth seem delayed along with concerns about hearing, it may help to get personalized guidance sooner rather than waiting to see if things change on their own.
Babies can hear at birth, and many newborns react to sound right away. Early responses may be subtle, such as startling to loud noise, calming to a familiar voice, or becoming more alert during speech.
Typical newborn hearing milestones include reacting to sudden loud sounds, recognizing familiar voices, and showing changes in movement, blinking, or alertness when hearing speech or noise.
Around 2 to 3 months, many babies show stronger awareness of voices, may quiet when spoken to, and can begin showing more consistent reactions to sound. Some also become more socially engaged during talking and cooing.
By 6 months, many babies turn toward sounds, notice toys that make noise, respond to changes in tone of voice, and become more interactive with babbling and listening during back-and-forth communication.
By 12 months, many babies respond to their name, understand a few familiar words, notice everyday sounds more consistently, and use hearing to support babbling, imitation, and early words.
Hearing and speech development are closely linked. Toddlers use hearing to learn words, follow directions, and copy sounds. If a child seems not to notice speech well and language is also delayed, it can be helpful to get more individualized guidance.
Personalized assessment
If you’re wondering whether your baby or toddler is responding to sound in an age-expected way, answer a few questions for guidance tailored to your child’s hearing behaviors, age, and communication development.