{"h1":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment at 12–18 Months","faq":[{"a":"Yes. A newborn screen checks hearing at birth, but hearing can change later due to ear infections, fluid build-up, illness or other causes. If your toddler now seems not to respond to sound or speech, a fresh hearing check is wise regardless of the earlier result.","q":"My baby passed the newborn hearing screen — can they still have hearing loss at 12–18 months?"},{"a":"Many toddlers use several single words by 15–18 months — things like \"mama\", \"dada\", \"more\" or \"bye\". Little or no clear words by 18 months, especially with reduced babble or poor response to sound, is a reason to check hearing and overall development rather than to wait.","q":"How many words should a toddler have by 18 months?"},{"a":"It can be either or both — which is exactly why a hearing check comes first. Hearing is the foundation for learning to talk, so an audiology assessment helps clarify whether a speech delay is linked to hearing. A clinician can guide the right next steps from there.","q":"Could it be a speech delay rather than a hearing problem?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-12-to-18-month-old","title":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment at 12–18 Months","entity":{"key":"hearing","kind":"condition","name":"Hearing Impairment","slug":"hearing-impairment"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent / Family","value":"parent"},{"kind":"age","label":"Toddler-12-18","value":"toddler-12-18"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Sensory","value":"sensory"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Early Signs","value":"early_signs"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Speech-Therapy","value":"speech-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"},{"kind":"condition","label":"Hearing Impairment","value":"hearing"},{"kind":"language","label":"English","value":"en"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities","value":"10"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","value":"3"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"ASHA / PHC / Frontline","value":"asha_phc"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor / Pediatrician","value":"doctor"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-1-year-old-boy","title":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment in a 1-Year-Old Boy"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-12-to-18-month-old-might-have-hearing-impairment","title":"When should I worry about hearing impairment at 12-18 months?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-18-to-24-month-old","title":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment in an 18-to-24-Month-Old"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-9-to-12-month-old","title":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment in a 9-to-12-Month-Old"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment","title":"What are the early signs of Hearing Impairment?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-3-to-6-month-old","title":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment at 3-6 Months"}],"summary":"By 12–18 months, watch for a toddler who doesn't turn to their name, doesn't startle at loud sounds, has little or fading babble, no clear words by 15–18 months, can't follow a simple spoken request, and relies heavily on watching your face. These are signs to check hearing promptly with an audiologist — early support protects speech and language.","answer_md":"*By 12 to 18 months, a little one is meant to be turning to your voice, babbling back, and reaching for their first words — when those sounds and responses seem quiet, hearing is the first thing worth checking.*\n\n## In short\nBy 12–18 months most toddlers respond to their name, follow simple spoken requests, copy sounds, and use a handful of words. Early signs of hearing impairment include not turning towards sound, no clear words by 15–18 months, not following simple verbal instructions, and a strong reliance on watching your face or gestures. These are reasons to check hearing promptly — not to panic — because early support changes everything.\n\n## Signs to watch between 12 and 18 months\n**Listening and responding**\n- Does not turn or look when you call their name from behind\n- Doesn't startle, settle or react to loud or sudden sounds\n- Notices you mainly when they can see you, not when you speak from another room\n\n**Talking and copying**\n- Little or no babbling, or babble that has faded rather than grown\n- No single clear words by around 15–18 months (such as \"mama\", \"dada\", \"bye\")\n- Doesn't try to copy simple sounds or words you make\n\n**Understanding**\n- Can't follow a simple spoken request like \"give me the ball\" without gestures\n- Doesn't point to a familiar object when you name it\n- Watches faces and hands intently, leaning on visual cues to understand\n\n## Why early checking matters\nHearing is the foundation for speech, language and social connection. Even a mild or one-sided hearing loss in these months can quietly slow word learning. Some hearing changes appear after birth — from ear infections, fluid, or other causes — so a child who passed a newborn screen can still need a fresh check. Hearing can fluctuate, so persistent or repeated signs deserve a proper hearing assessment by an audiologist.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nA clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our team supports families with audiology-linked [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) and a clear, calm pathway. Learn more about [hearing impairment](https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/hearing-impairment) and what support looks like at every age. With 4.95 lakh+ families served across 70+ centres, you are not walking this alone.\n\n## Trusted sources\nGuided by WHO ICD-11, the CDC's \"Learn the Signs. Act Early.\" milestones, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), which all emphasise prompt hearing checks when speech or listening seems delayed.\n\n**Next step —** if any of these signs feel familiar, book a hearing and developmental check. Message the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to arrange it.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-12-to-18-month-old","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-12-to-18-month-old","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-12-to-18-month-old-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Hearing Impairment Signs: 12–18 Months","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Try a simple play test: when your toddler isn't looking, call their name or rattle a toy softly from one side, then the other. Consistent turning towards the sound is reassuring; repeatedly missing it is worth a proper hearing check.","published_at":"2026-06-10T09:57:00.058158+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-hearing-impairment-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How Hearing Impairment Affects a Child's Daily Life","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-hearing-impairment-considered-a-disability","title":"Is Hearing Impairment considered a disability?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-hearing-impairment-genetic-or-hereditary","title":"Is Hearing Impairment Genetic or Hereditary?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-common-myths-about-hearing-impairment","title":"What are common myths about Hearing Impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-hearing-impairment","title":"Types and Levels of Hearing Impairment","reason":"Same 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infections or fluid — and remember a passed newborn screen does not rule out a later hearing change.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. (milestones)"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org"},{"url":"https://icd.who.int/en","label":"WHO ICD-11"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T09:57:00.058158+00:00","meta_description":"Early signs of hearing impairment in a 12–18-month-old — not turning to name, faded babble, no clear words, relying on visual cues. When to check hearing.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}