A newborn may blink when a door slams, pause during a feed at the sound of a voice, or settle when someone familiar speaks. These tiny reactions are the beginning of a larger story. Baby hearing development milestones track how babies move from noticing sounds to finding their source and eventually recognising words.
The ages below describe typical patterns, not strict deadlines. A baby may respond one day and seem uninterested the next, especially when tired or absorbed in play. What matters is the pattern over time and whether anything concerns you.
Baby hearing milestones by age
Birth to one month: reacting to sudden sounds
Hearing is active at birth. A sudden loud noise may make your baby startle, blink, widen their eyes, stop sucking or cry. A familiar voice may help them settle. Not every newborn has a dramatic startle response, and some changes are easy to miss.
Look for brief changes in expression or activity rather than expecting your newborn to turn accurately towards a sound. Never make loud noises close to a baby’s ears to check hearing.
One to three months: noticing voices and routines
As the weeks pass, babies often pause to listen when a new sound begins. A vacuum cleaner, running tap or someone speaking nearby may prompt a change in movement. Some quieten or smile at a familiar voice. Early cooing also becomes more noticeable, although making sounds does not prove a baby hears every pitch normally.
Ordinary moments offer better clues than repeated attempts to provoke one obvious reaction.
Four to six months: looking and turning towards voices
Around four months, many babies begin turning their eyes or head towards a familiar voice, even when they cannot see the speaker. They may smile at footsteps, notice a musical toy or become excited when someone enters the room.
Through the middle of the first year, babies often respond to changes in your tone and experiment with varied babbling sounds. If you are wondering about the turning to voice baby milestone, think of it as a developing skill rather than a switch that flips on one birthday.
Seven to nine months: locating quieter sounds
At around seven months, many babies turn promptly towards a familiar voice across the room, provided they are not busy. Some notice gentle sounds coming from either side. By nine months, a baby may search for quiet everyday noises made out of sight.
Infant auditory development becomes especially visible during play: your baby might look towards a parent speaking from the doorway or search for a softly rattling toy. Being deeply absorbed in another activity, however, can make a perfectly audible sound seem uninteresting.
Ten to twelve months: recognising familiar words
Near the first birthday, babies often show some response to their name and may recognise phrases such as “bye bye” or “no” without seeing an accompanying gesture. They may anticipate a familiar song or babble back when you speak.
Understanding language varies at this age. One missed call means little on its own. Look at responses to different voices, household sounds and familiar words across several days.
How to observe sound responses at home
Choose a calm moment when your baby is awake and comfortable. During play, speak naturally from one side with your face out of view, then allow time for a response. Try the other side on another occasion. With an older baby, you might use a quiet rattle at a normal playing distance.
Notice whether they pause, change expression, look around or turn. Do not keep repeating the activity until you get the answer you want. This is an observation, not a hearing test; it cannot rule out hearing loss in one ear or difficulty hearing certain sounds.
Writing down real examples such as “turned towards Dad calling from the hall” can help a health visitor understand what you have noticed. Related guides to baby vision development milestones and early communication milestones can offer wider context.
Why a baby might ignore a sound
Sleepiness, distraction, background television, distance and unfamiliar voices all influence responding to sounds baby behaviour. Some children startle strongly while others briefly pause. Compare your baby’s progress with their earlier behaviour rather than another child’s exact timetable.
However, do not dismiss a persistent lack of response as personality or concentration. A change from previously reliable reactions deserves attention.
When to ask for hearing advice in the UK
Speak to your health visitor or GP if your baby rarely reacts to sounds, seems unaware of familiar voices, responds mainly when they can see you, or stops noticing noises they previously heard. Concerns about babbling or communication are also worth raising.
Do not wait for the next routine development review if you are worried. A professional can discuss your observations and arrange audiology assessment when appropriate. Temporary hearing changes and permanent hearing loss cannot be distinguished through home observation alone.
What newborn hearing screening tells you
Newborn hearing screening is offered soon after birth. The NHS says it is usually offered before four weeks of age, although it can be done up to three months. Specialist equipment checks responses to gentle sounds.
A clear result is reassuring, but screening does not detect every kind of hearing loss, and hearing can change later. If the result was unclear, attend the follow-up audiology appointment. If concerns arise despite a clear result, contact your health visitor or GP. Your child’s personal child health record, or red book, also includes hearing guidance.
Helping your baby listen and communicate
Talk during nappy changes, describe routines and leave pauses for your baby to respond. Repeat favourite songs, name familiar toys and answer babbling as though taking turns in conversation. Reduce competing background noise when you can. Loud toys and organised hearing drills are unnecessary. Your baby’s first-year developmental milestones can help you see how listening fits alongside other changes.
Frequently asked questions
When do babies begin turning towards sound?
Some orient towards sounds in the early months. Around four months, many turn their eyes or head towards familiar voices, with responses becoming more reliable over time.
Should a baby startle at every loud noise?
No. Startle responses vary with sleep, attention and the sound itself. If your baby repeatedly shows no reaction, seek advice rather than creating loud noises to test them.
Can a baby pass screening and still have hearing loss?
Yes. Newborn screening misses some hearing difficulties, and hearing loss can develop later. New concerns should be assessed even after a clear screen.
What if my nine-month-old does not respond to their name?
Name recognition develops gradually, often becoming noticeable towards the end of the first year. Consider responses to other sounds and discuss concerns with your health visitor or GP.
Listening grows through everyday moments
From a newborn’s blink to an older baby’s search for a familiar voice, hearing develops through countless small interactions. Enjoy those exchanges, notice changes and ask for help if something seems different. Timely support matters more than meeting every milestone on an exact date.