Information for Families
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This section of our website has tools and information about hearing loss for families.
- All babies should be screened for hearing loss no later than 1 month of age. In addition, if you think that an older child might have hearing loss, ask the child’s doctor for a hearing screening as soon as possible. Don’t wait!
- If a child does not pass a hearing screening, ask the child’s doctor for a full hearing test as soon as possible.
- If a child has hearing loss, talk to the child’s doctor about treatment and intervention services.
Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop communication, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. If you are a parent and you suspect your child has hearing loss, trust your instincts and speak with your child’s doctor.
Quote from Parent
“If your baby was screened for hearing loss and failed, now that you are home, your inclination may be to just let it go, and wait. Please don’t. Go back for the second screening, and if advised, on to a formal assessment with an audiologist. If there is something wrong with your baby’s hearing, NOW is the time to find out.”
– Quote from a parent of a child with hearing loss
Facts about Hearing Loss
Visit the Facts page to find basic information about hearing loss in children, including signs, causes, screening, and what to do if you’re concerned.
Screening and Diagnosis
All babies should have a hearing screening no later than 1 month of age. In addition, if you think that an older child might have hearing loss, ask the child’s doctor for a hearing screening as soon as possible.
All children who do not pass a hearing screening should have a full hearing test as soon as possible. Learn about hearing loss screening, testing, and diagnosis for babies and children.
Treatments and Intervention Services
If a child has hearing loss, talk to the child’s doctor about treatment and intervention services. Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop communication, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. Learn about the many different treatment and intervention service options for children with hearing loss and their families.
Treatments and Intervention Services »
Free Materials
A Parent’s Guide to Hearing Loss
After learning of your child’s hearing loss, you may have mixed feelings and many questions. A Parent’s Guide to Hearing Loss will give you information about hearing loss, communication options, and programs to help you and your child.
Brochures and Fact Sheets
View, print, and order brochures about hearing loss, including:
- Questions You May Want to Ask Your Child’s Audiologist
- Just in Time for Pediatric Primary Care Providers
- Guía para padres sobre la genética y la pérdida auditiva
- And more…
Developmental Milestones
Your child should reach milestones in how he or she plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem, including hearing loss. Visit this webpage to see milestones that children should reach from 2 months to 5 years of age, plus interactive tools to help keep track of the milestones.
State Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Contacts
Find the contact information, including websites, for EHDI funded and non-funded states and territories.
- Page last reviewed: June 14, 2016
- Page last updated: June 14, 2016
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