Hearing loss? Or selective hearing?

palmtreemandy · May 2011

My baby will be 18 months in August. She still only speaks very basic words like mama, dada, nana, and no. She rarely repeats us.her doctor is not concerned with the lack of vocabulary.

Tonight a friend asked if we had considered she may be deaf, as she has stopped responding to her name most of the time. She makes eye contact sometimes when you call her, but rarely if her back is turned. She had her hearing tested at birth and was fine.

Tonight my husband and I tried to distract her with loud noises when she wasnt looking. She never jumped or turned around, but I swear she knows to dance to music and knows the strawberry shortcake theme song is playing from the other room if i turn it on for her.

I'm sure I'm just paranoid, but how could you not be when someone suggests this kind of thing? So.. hearing loss or just toddler selective hearing? thoughts?

SeaStar430 · May 2011

I would get her hearing checked, it can't hurt. The main reason is because my 18 month old gives me a thousand indications a day that she can hear me. She follows all directions, answers questions with head shaking and words, responds to loud noises, can point out people in pictures...even if it weren't for her words I would never question that she can hear me. It seems to me that if you aren't sure if she can hear, you should get it checked out.

llc730 · May 2011

I would probably get it checked too. However I am a little biased because DH is very hard of hearing because nerve deafness runs in his family.

Abinormal · May 2011

I'd definitely have her hearing checked and I'd bring up your concerns with your pediatrician. Tell him/her exactly what you've written here today and don't let them blow off your concerns.

I don't want to give you more to worry about, but... some of the behaviors that you've listed indicate autism. It sounds to me like she could possibly be retreating into her own little world.

sasa625 · May 2011

If you have concerns, you should definitely address them with your pediatrician. Like someone said, I would never doubt that DD can hear me. She's constantly reacting to thing in her environment, and responds to us when we talk to her.

I would definitely start looking for some answers... it's much better to start early!

July_2009 · May 2011

Did she have frequent ear infections or does any of your family have hearing issues? I think it never hurts to get a hearing test for your DD. Hope everything works out in your favour.

SaranJonathan · May 2011

My DD has gotten two hearing test thanks to her ear tubes. But saying that I have no doubt she can hear. But she does ignore me at times for sure.

She will ignore me and then I might say "snack" and she whips her head around. But if you have concerns then make an appointment to get her hearing checked.

Good luck

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