Hearing Impairment
When to worry about hearing in an 18–24-month-old
By 18–24 months a child should turn to your voice, respond to their name and use a few growing words. If your toddler misses everyday sounds, follows only gestures, or has very few words, ask for a hearing check — a fresh test is always reasonable, even after a newborn screen. Only a clinician can confirm anything.
If your little one isn't turning to your voice or picking up words the way you hoped, that worry deserves a clear, kind answer — and a simple next step.
In short
By 18–24 months, a child should respond to their name, follow simple spoken instructions, turn towards familiar sounds, and use a small but growing set of words. Worth checking soon if your toddler:- Doesn't turn to your voice or to everyday sounds (the doorbell, a dog, the TV)
- Has very few or no words, or has stopped using words they once had
- Doesn't follow simple instructions like "give me the cup" without gestures
- Watches your face intently for cues but seems to miss sound itself
- Speaks unusually loudly or seems unbothered by loud noises
Worry is a reason to check — not a diagnosis. Hearing can change after a newborn screen (frequent ear infections are a common cause), so a fresh test is always reasonable.
The science, briefly
Hearing is the foundation of spoken language — the first two years are when the brain's listening pathways are most rapidly wired. Even mild or fluctuating hearing loss in this window can quietly delay words and understanding. This is why the CDC and IAP urge a hearing check whenever a parent has a concern, regardless of an earlier newborn screen. Identified early, outcomes are excellent: a simple, painless hearing test confirms what is happening, and support — when needed — works best when it starts young.The Pinnacle way
No online form or article can diagnose hearing impairment — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care. Our team checks hearing first, then maps your child's listening and language against their own baseline, and where helpful pairs it with speech therapy — so you leave with clarity and a plan, not a label.Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11; CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.; Indian Academy of Pediatrics; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org).Next step — The kindest thing to do with worry is to check. Book a hearing and language check with a Pinnacle clinician.
What to watch
Check sooner if your toddler stops using words they once had, doesn't startle or turn to loud sounds, has had repeated ear infections or ear-pulling, or relies entirely on watching your face to understand you.
Try this at home
Play a gentle listening game: from behind your child, softly call their name or shake a rattle to one side, then the other. A consistent turn towards the sound is a lovely sign their hearing and attention are linking up.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
My baby passed the newborn hearing screen — can hearing still be a problem now?
Yes. A newborn screen is reassuring but not a lifetime guarantee. Hearing can change after birth, often from frequent ear infections or fluid behind the eardrum. If you have a concern now, a fresh hearing test is always reasonable.
My toddler responds sometimes but not always — is that a worry?
Inconsistent responses can be normal toddler selective attention, but they can also signal mild or fluctuating hearing loss. If the pattern persists alongside few words, it's worth a simple check to be sure.
Will a hearing test hurt my child?
No. Hearing tests for toddlers are painless, play-based and quick. The clinician uses gentle sounds and watches your child's responses — many little ones find it rather fun.