{"h1":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment at 18–24 Months","faq":[{"a":"Yes. Frequent ear infections and fluid behind the eardrum (glue ear) can cause temporary, fluctuating hearing loss that slows words. It's very common and usually treatable, so a hearing check and a chat with your paediatrician are worthwhile.","q":"My toddler had lots of ear infections — could that affect hearing?"},{"a":"A few words is encouraging, but if they don't turn to their name, need the TV very loud, or struggle to follow simple spoken requests, a painless hearing test is still wise. Hearing can be partial, and catching it early protects language.","q":"My child says a few words — should I still worry about hearing?"},{"a":"Not at all. Hearing can be checked reliably from birth onward, and age-appropriate tests for toddlers are simple and painless. Early checks mean any support starts during the richest window for learning to talk.","q":"Isn't it too early to test hearing at this age?"}],"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","entity":{"key":"hearing","kind":"condition","name":"Hearing Impairment","slug":"hearing-impairment"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent / Family","value":"parent"},{"kind":"age","label":"Toddler-18-24","value":"toddler-18-24"},{"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":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-hearing-impairment","title":"When should I worry about hearing in my 18–24-month-old?"},{"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":"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-in-a-12-to-18-month-old","title":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment at 12–18 Months"},{"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-2-year-old","title":"Early Signs of Hearing Impairment in a 2-Year-Old"}],"summary":"By 18–24 months, watch for a toddler who doesn't turn to their name or soft sounds, uses very few words, doesn't follow simple spoken instructions, or leans on lip-reading and gestures. Frequent ear infections and any loss of words also warrant a prompt, painless hearing check — most causes are very treatable when caught early.","answer_md":"*By 18 to 24 months, hearing is the doorway to talking — when words and responses lag, your ears-first instinct is exactly right.*\n\n## In short\nBy 18–24 months a toddler should turn to their name, follow simple instructions, and use a growing handful of words. Early signs of hearing impairment include not responding to soft sounds or their name, very few or no words, not following simple spoken requests, and relying heavily on watching your face or gestures. These are signs to check promptly — not to panic — because hearing is very treatable when caught early.\n\n## Signs to watch at 18–24 months\n**Listening and responding**\n- Doesn't turn to their name or to everyday sounds unless they can see you\n- Doesn't startle or react to loud sounds, or seems to \"tune out\"\n- Needs the TV or music much louder than the rest of the family\n- Responds inconsistently — better in quiet, much worse with background noise\n\n**Talking and understanding**\n- Very few or no clear words by 18 months; not combining two words near 24 months\n- Speech sounds unclear or limited compared with peers\n- Doesn't follow simple spoken instructions without gestures (\"give me the ball\")\n- Watches your lips and face intently to understand\n\n**Everyday clues**\n- Frequent ear infections, ear-pulling, or fluid (common, very treatable causes)\n- Stopped babbling or using words they once had — act on any loss of skills\n\n## Why early action matters\nThese years are the richest window for spoken language, so even mild or fluctuating hearing loss can quietly slow words. Many causes — like glue ear — are temporary and treatable. A simple, painless hearing test (audiology) confirms what's happening, and [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) supports language alongside any medical care.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nDevelopmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. under qualified clinician care — our [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) is a clinician-administered structured assessment that maps listening, language and play to guide a clear plan. Learn more about [hearing impairment](https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/hearing-impairment) and how [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) builds early communication.\n\n## Trusted sources\nAligned with WHO ICD-11, CDC \"Learn the Signs. Act Early.\" milestones, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org).\n\n**Next step —** if your toddler isn't responding to sound or words as you'd expect, book a hearing and developmental check. Reach the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.\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-18-to-24-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-18-to-24-month-old","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-hearing-impairment-in-a-18-to-24-month-old-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Hearing Impairment Signs: 18–24 Months","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Try the quiet test: from behind, out of sight, softly call your toddler's name or shake a rattle. Consistent turning toward soft sound is reassuring; no response is worth a 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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than waiting.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/en","label":"WHO ICD-11"},{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early."},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T09:57:00.058158+00:00","meta_description":"Early signs of hearing impairment in 18–24-month-olds: not responding to name or sounds, few words, missing instructions. When to get a check.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}