Your baby starts discovering the world of sound before they are even born. From recognising familiar voices to turning towards an interesting sound, hearing plays an important part in their early development and is closely linked with learning to communicate.
But how does your baby's hearing develop, and what hearing milestones can you expect during their first year?
When do babies start hearing?
Your baby's hearing begins developing during pregnancy. By the later stages of pregnancy, they can hear sounds from inside your body, such as your heartbeat, as well as voices and sounds from the outside world.
Your voice is one of the sounds they hear most frequently, so it may already be familiar to them when they are born.
After birth, babies continue learning about all the different sounds around them. Hearing and communication develop alongside one another as your baby begins listening to voices, responding to sounds and eventually experimenting with sounds of their own.
Baby hearing development: birth to 3 months
During their first few months, your baby may:
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React or startle in response to loud sounds
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Calm down or smile when you speak to them
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Recognise familiar voices
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Begin cooing and making different sounds
Talking to your baby from the very beginning is a simple way to encourage their communication development. They may not understand the words yet, but they're listening to the sounds, rhythm and tone of your voice.
Baby hearing development: 4 to 6 months
Between four and six months, babies often become increasingly interested in where sounds are coming from.
You may notice your baby:
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Following sounds with their eyes
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Responding to changes in the tone of your voice
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Noticing toys that make sounds
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Paying attention to music
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Laughing, gurgling and babbling
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Experimenting with different sounds
As your baby grows, they'll gradually become more familiar with the sounds and patterns of the language or languages they hear around them.
Baby hearing development: 7 to 12 months
During the second half of their first year, your baby's listening and communication skills continue to develop.
They may begin to:
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Turn towards sounds
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Listen when you speak
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Recognise familiar words and the names of everyday objects
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Respond to simple requests
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Babble using different groups of sounds
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Copy some speech sounds
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Use gestures such as waving
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Say one or two simple words around their first birthday
Every baby develops at their own pace, so these milestones should be treated as a general guide rather than a strict timetable.
How can I encourage my baby's hearing and communication development?
Everyday interaction is one of the simplest ways to support your baby's early communication skills.
Talk to them throughout the day, sing songs and nursery rhymes, look at picture books together and introduce them to different everyday sounds. You can also talk about what you're doing as you dress them, feed them or get them ready for bed.
A bedtime story can become a lovely part of your baby's evening routine, even when they're too young to understand the story itself. Hearing your voice and listening to the rhythm and repetition of language all contribute to their early communication experiences.
You don't need to fill every moment with noise or entertainment. Babies also benefit from quieter periods and time to take in what's happening around them.
How can I tell if my baby can hear properly?
Babies respond to sound in different ways, and their responses change as they grow. A newborn may react to a sudden loud noise, while an older baby might turn towards your voice, follow a sound or respond when you speak to them.
In Ireland, newborn babies are offered hearing screening as part of the National Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. The screening is designed to identify possible hearing loss early so that babies and their families can receive appropriate follow-up and support.
It's important to remember that your baby's hearing and communication continue to develop as they grow.
If your baby doesn't appear to respond to sounds, stops responding to sounds they previously noticed, or you have any concerns about their hearing or communication development, speak to your GP or public health nurse. You don't need to wait until your baby reaches a particular milestone before asking for advice.
Every baby develops differently
Developmental milestones can be useful guides, but they aren't deadlines. Some babies will reach certain stages earlier than others.
Rather than comparing your baby with other children of the same age, look at how their own listening, communication and interaction skills are developing over time.
If you have any concerns about your baby's hearing or development, speak to your GP or public health nurse for advice.
FAQs about baby hearing development
When can a baby first hear?
A baby's hearing begins developing during pregnancy. By the later stages of pregnancy, babies can hear sounds from both inside and outside the body, including voices.
Can newborn babies recognise their mum's voice?
Babies hear their mum's voice repeatedly during pregnancy, so it can already be familiar to them after birth.
When do babies start responding to sounds?
Babies can react to sounds from birth. During the first three months, you may notice your baby reacting to loud noises, calming when spoken to or responding to familiar voices.
When do babies turn towards sounds?
During the first six months, babies generally become increasingly able to locate and follow sounds. Between four and six months, you may notice your baby following sounds with their eyes and paying more attention to voices, music and toys that make sounds.
When do babies recognise their name?
Many babies begin responding to familiar words and sounds during the second half of their first year. Development varies, so there isn't one exact age at which every baby will recognise or respond to their name.
What should I do if I'm worried about my baby's hearing?
If you have concerns about your baby's hearing at any age, speak to your GP or public health nurse. They can advise you on whether further hearing assessment may be needed.
Every baby develops differently. The milestones in this article are intended as general guidance and should not replace advice from a healthcare professional.
