Signs of hearing loss in a 9–12-month-old

If your baby has stopped babbling, or never startles to a loud sound, trust that instinct — hearing is the one thing that rewards early action the most.

In short

By 9–12 months, most babies turn to their name, babble with consonants, and respond to everyday sounds. Hearing loss at this age is easy to miss because babies compensate visually — but it is also one of the most treatable causes of later speech delay when caught early. If several of the signs below are present, ask for a hearing test now; do not "wait and see".

Signs worth acting on at 9–12 months

1. No turning toward your voice or a sound out of sight.
2. Babble has reduced or stopped, or never moved beyond vowel sounds.
3. No response to her name by 12 months.
4. Doesn't startle to a sudden loud noise, or only notices you when she sees you.
5. No early gestures — waving, pointing — emerging.

A baby who watches your face intently but ignores sound may be reading you visually while missing what she cannot hear.

The Pinnacle way

Hearing is the foundation of speech, so we move fast. The first step is an objective hearing assessment (your paediatrician or audiologist can arrange BERA/OAE testing). If hearing is affected, early support — and, where needed, devices — can put a child back on track; our speech therapy and early-intervention teams then build communication from that foundation, and a clinician maps progress with the AbilityScore®. Families often reach us through hearing impairment support. This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Trusted sources

WHO emphasises early identification of childhood hearing loss; CDC's milestone guidance lists the hearing and communication markers for the first year.

Next step — if any of these signs are present, arrange a hearing test without delay. Book a developmental check.