Northwest Georgia Public Health

Georgia Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program

If You Have A Family History Of Hearing Loss,
Your Baby Should Be Tested Every Year

Northwest Georgia Health Watch - Children's First A hearing screening can usually show that your baby has normal hearing at the time of the screening. However, the ability to hear can be lost or damaged at any age. Ear infections and high fevers are just some of the things that can cause hearing loss.

If you ever have concerns about your child's hearing, speech, or language, be sure to discuss them with your child's doctor.

If you do not have a doctor, you can call your local health department or the Powerline for a referral at: (800) 822-2539 or
(404) 451-5501.

If You Have A Family History Of
Hearing Loss, Your Baby
Should Be Tested Every Year
The Georgia Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program is a
collaborative effort of the Division of Public Health, audiologists,
physicians, hospitals, legislators, and parents.

At around two months of age:

Startle to loud sound
Quiet to familiar voice
Make vowel sounds like ohh, ahh
At around four months of age:
Look for sounds with eyes
Start babbling
Use a variety of voice sounds, such as squeals, whimpers, chuckles

At around six months of age:

Turn head toward sound Begin to imitate speech sounds,
Babble (ba-ba, ma-ma, da-da)

At around nine months of age:

Imitate speech sounds of others
Understand no-no or bye-bye
Turn head toward soft sounds

At around twelve months of age:

Correctly use ma-ma or da-da
Hand over toy when asked
Respond to singing or music
Locate sound at all levels

Northwest Georgia Health Watch - Children's First