How do I know if my child has hearing loss?

Children do not always tell us when they cannot hear well, and because they adapt so readily, hearing difficulties can be easy to miss. Knowing the signs at different ages helps you act early, which matters because hearing plays a central role in speech, language and learning. In Australia, newborns are offered hearing screening, but hearing can change as a child grows, so ongoing awareness is important.

What signs should parents look for?

Signs vary with age. In babies and toddlers, you might notice:

• Not startling at loud sounds or not turning towards your voice
• Not babbling, or babbling that reduces over time
• Delayed first words or slow speech development
• Not responding to their name by around 12 months

In older children, watch for:

• Frequently saying "what?" or asking for repetition
• Turning the television or devices up loud
• Seeming inattentive, or struggling to follow instructions
• Falling behind at school or being tired after a day of listening
• Watching faces closely to follow what is said

What can cause hearing changes in children?

A very common cause in young children is "glue ear" — fluid behind the eardrum, often after colds or ear infections. This can cause temporary, fluctuating hearing loss that comes and goes. Other causes can be present from birth or develop later. Because the picture varies, a proper assessment is the way to know what is happening rather than guessing from symptoms alone.

Why does early checking matter?

The early years are a key period for developing speech and language, so identifying and managing any hearing difficulty promptly gives a child the best support for communication and learning. Even a mild or temporary loss can make it harder to hear clearly in a noisy classroom. Early information means families and teachers can put helpful strategies in place.

What if my child passed the newborn screening?

A clear newborn hearing screen is reassuring, but it reflects hearing at that very early point in time. Hearing can change as a child grows, so passing the screen does not rule out difficulties developing later on. Common reasons hearing can change after infancy include:

• Glue ear: fluid behind the eardrum after colds or ear infections, which can come and go and fluctuate.
• Repeated ear infections: frequent infections are worth mentioning to your GP.
• Loud noise exposure: including personal audio played at high volume through headphones.
• Later-onset causes: some hearing changes simply appear later in childhood, sometimes with no obvious reason.

This is why ongoing awareness matters even after a clear screen. If your child's listening, speech, attention or behaviour changes, a fresh hearing check is sensible rather than assuming the earlier result still holds. Trusting what you notice day to day is often the earliest and most useful signal.

What should you do if you are concerned?

Trust your instincts. If you or your child's teacher has noticed any of these signs, it is worth arranging a hearing check rather than waiting to see if things improve. A GP or child health nurse can also be a good first port of call, particularly if ear infections are frequent.

Hearing assessments for children use age-appropriate methods, from play-based testing for little ones to more standard tests as they get older, and they are gentle and non-invasive. At Hearing Help in Newport Marketplace on the Redcliffe Peninsula, our audiologists can assess your child's hearing, explain the findings clearly, and guide you on next steps or referral if needed. No referral is required to book. Acting early on any concern gives your child the best chance to stay on track with speech, learning and confidence.