If your child is not responding to sounds, not turning toward sound, or keeps saying “what?”, this page can help you understand common signs of hearing loss and what to do next.
About this assessment
Share whether your baby is not turning to sound, your toddler seems to miss words, or your child is showing other hearing loss symptoms to get personalized guidance for your next step.
Many parents first notice small patterns before anything feels obvious. A baby may not turn toward sound. A toddler may not respond to their name consistently. An older child may seem to hear some sounds but miss others, or keep asking people to repeat themselves. These signs do not always mean hearing loss, but they are worth paying attention to, especially if they happen often or affect speech, language, or daily communication.
Possible signs include not startling to loud sounds, not calming to a familiar voice, or not turning toward sound by the expected stage. If you are wondering how to tell if your baby has hearing loss, repeated lack of response to sound is one reason to look closer.
Toddler signs of hearing loss can include not responding when called, seeming to ignore speech unless they can see your face, delayed words, or unclear speech. Some toddlers hear certain sounds but miss softer or more distant ones.
Signs of hearing problems in children may include saying “what?” often, turning the volume up high, misunderstanding directions, or seeming distracted when the real issue is that they did not hear clearly.
If your child does not respond to sounds, voices, or their name consistently, it can be one of the earliest signs my child has hearing problems, especially when it happens in quiet settings too.
A baby not turning to sound, especially familiar voices or nearby noises, is a common reason parents ask whether something is off with hearing.
Early signs of hearing loss in kids can show up through delayed speech, unclear pronunciation, or trouble following spoken directions because hearing and language development are closely connected.
That question can feel heavy, but noticing a pattern early is helpful. Some children with hearing loss respond to certain sounds and not others, which can make the signs easy to miss. Ear infections, fluid, background noise, attention differences, and speech-language delays can also affect how a child responds. The key is not to guess alone. If your child keeps saying “what?”, misses spoken words, or seems inconsistent in what they hear, it makes sense to get clear guidance based on your child’s age and symptoms.
If your child not responding to sounds is becoming a pattern rather than a one-time moment, it is worth acting on.
If hearing concerns are showing up alongside delayed speech, unclear words, or trouble understanding language, earlier support can make a difference.
Parents are often the first to notice subtle changes. Even if you are not sure, ongoing concern is a valid reason to seek personalized guidance.
Early signs can include not responding to sounds or name, not turning toward sound, delayed speech, seeming to hear only some sounds, or asking for repeats often. The exact signs can look different in babies, toddlers, and older children.
Parents may notice that a baby does not startle to loud sounds, does not calm to familiar voices, or is not turning toward sound as expected. One missed moment does not always mean a problem, but repeated patterns are worth discussing with a pediatrician or hearing specialist.
Sometimes it can be related to attention, distraction, or development, but inconsistent response to name can also be a sign of hearing loss. It is especially important to pay attention if your toddler also has speech delays, misses directions, or seems to hear some sounds but not others.
If your child keeps saying “what?” or asks people to repeat themselves, it can be a sign they are not hearing speech clearly. This may happen more in noisy places or when speech is soft, fast, or coming from another room.
No. Some children have mild, partial, or fluctuating hearing difficulties, which can make the signs less obvious. A child may hear certain sounds well and still miss important parts of speech.
Personalized assessment
Answer a few questions about your child’s responses to sound, speech, and everyday listening so you can get personalized guidance on what may be going on and what next step may help.