3 Month Old Doesn't React to Sound

I would talk to your doctor at your next check-up, but it may be nothing. My son was the same way. He could sleep through a train wreck! Doorbell ringing, dog barking and he wouldn't even flinch. I wouldn't shrug it off completely, but I wouldn't panic just yet, he is very young and I doubt there's much intervention they can do already even if he did have some hearing impairment. Try and observe him throughout the day, does he ever react to sound? It sounds like you have a very busy house with all those kids and he may have gotten used to it, even from the womb and it's not as noticeable to him.

Hi K.! I would give your pediatrician a call and let them know what you've noticed. My cousin's daughter had a similar problem, and turned out that she needed hearing aids and was fine. Eventually, she had implants put in her ears, and is doing fabulous at the age of 11-1/2. I wouldn't panic, but I would give the doctor a call. Maybe he's just a calm baby or maybe he has an over abundance of wax in his inner ear. It can't hurt to check it out.

I couldn't help but notice that you mentioned that your son cries when you put him in his carseat. We had the same problem with two of our three children. Turns out, they get car sick!! I turned their carseat around at close to your son's age, and they were fine! It used to be torture to drive with them, but now they're perfect!

Best of luck with your precious baby boy!

I don't want to scare you, but at 3 mo. he should be reacting to noise. It sounds like you may want to take him to see an ear,nose, and throat specialist. My 7 yr. old passed the hearing test as a newborn, but when he was in kindergarten he failed the hearing test in his left ear. He ended up having tubes put in his ears. He also had a lot of trouble with his sinuses, and when he had the tubes put in they took out his adnoids, tonsills, and they widened some of his nasal passages. The tubes work great. He has passed all of his hearing tests since they were put in. The first time though, they didn't notice a difference, but it was too soon after the surgery. He goes again in Dec. for another hearing test, and to possibly have the tubes taken out. They are supposed to fall out, but they don't always do. I would contact a ear, nose, and throat specialist to have him checked, and this way if there are any issues they can hopefully be corrected being that he is so young. Good luck.

D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

Hi,
I have a 7 year old hearing impaired daughter. It is possible to pass the screening given in the hospital and still be hearing impaired. My daughter had a test done called an ABR that definitively confirmed her hearing impairment. She too did not react to sound. Now that she is seven, she is in a regular classroom...wearing adorable purple hearing aides that all the kids want! In today's world few children need to learn sign language with all the technology available to allow hearing. So, bring your child to an known pediatric audiologist and good luck!
Regards,
Lori
Greenwich, CT
(sister of a Fishers, Ind mom!)

We had the same concerns with our son when he was about the same age. First step was a visit to the pediatrician where she did some simple hearing things, snapping by his ears, clapping, etc - plus looking at his ears. She was concerned about his lack of response too so she then sent us to have a hearing test done. It turned out everything was fine. He is five now and does not have any hearing problems. Although at 18 months he did have to have tubes in his ears which I have no idea if the ear problems that required tubes could have caused his unresponsiveness to sound as an infant.
I would make an appointment with your pediatrician and he/she can refer you for a hearing test if needed.

K.,
Depending on when he had his hearing checked, if he has had any vaccinations since then, I would definitely have his hearing checked again. Definitely contact your ped. again and if you aren't satisfied, go to a children's audiologist.
Wishing you the best.
C.

K.,
I would take your son to a ear nose and throat specialist and have his ears checked, it could just be a wax build up but , it really needs checked out by a professional.I lost most of my hearing in my right ear due to high fevers and ear infections as a child, not to mention my Mothers head smacks when she didn't think I was listening, ruptured a ear drum.I was only 8 then. I'm 49 now and have actually regain some hearing in my right ear, but somedays I am thankful I can't hear certain things. I live in the Cambridge , Zanesville area and there is a Dr. Noche that is fantastic and really great with kids.If he is deaf it would be wise to get him help now rather than later, some things progress and get worse others can be fixed.My heart goes out to you.I just adopted a kitten and just found out he is deaf and believe it or not I am teaching him sign launguage and he is catching on easily.I use taps on the floor and hand motions so far , he is only 13 weeks old. Blessings, Debbie

K.,

What kind of hearing test did he have? Most new borns are screened with behavioral observerations before they leave the hospital. Your pediatrican should check him out now and can referr him to have a test called an ABR that will measure how his auditory nerve is conductin sound to the brain. It is painless and simple, you hold the baby and they put an electrode in the ear cannal, and I think that they also fill the ear with fluid if I remember right. Our daughter layed there and did not object. It is not invasive and will give you peace of mind or will let you know for sure if you need to intervene.

M.

The tests for newborns and toddlers is just a device that's a little bigger than an ear thermometer. Dr. puts it in, pushes the button, and it makes noise in the ear, and it measures if sound is being heard, and how much. It's a quick and simple test and you could know tomorrow if you just put in a quick call to your pediatrician and tell them of your concern. I pray you find out, one way or the other. Good luck!

I don't know where you live, but at our hospital in South Bend, Indiana, they gave hearing tests immediately post birth prior to the infants leaving the hospital if parents approved such. My daughter failed three of them. She was also placed in ICU post birth as she stopped breathing frequently. And for a couple of months reacted the same way as your son. I set an appt with Dr. McTigue, who is a ear, nose, and throat specialist. They did testing on her at his office about the time my daughter was four months. He determined she may not have been fully suctioned properly after birth. She was not determined to be deaf, but had some hearing issues, does have very small sinus cavities, and usually has ear infections (she's seven now). I would contact a specialist, or better yet, have your pediatrian make the appt for you because he/she may be able to get you in much quicker. It may be as simple as clogged sinuses, a serious infection that he is just used to that is clogging his eustatian tubes, or a deafness situation. Any issue needs to be addressed as quickly as possible with a specialist so your family can deal with it and go forward with the proper methods. Best of luck!

I would definitely get him seen. Babies this age should react some how either by being startled or turning their head. Deafness, obviously, isn't the end of the world, but the sooner you know, the sooner you can do things like start learning ASL and getting support.
Good Luck! Let us know what you find out:)

Hi K..

Just wanted to respond to your question. At 3 months, your little one should be responding to sound, especially loud sounds. It would concern me as well if you are not seeing that.

Language development is occuring at a fast rate during the first year of life so it is imparative that you have your childs hearing tested if you even suspect there could be a major problem. I would take him to a pediatric Audiologist - I know they have these at Cincinnati Childrens. There are some special tests that can be performed at your childs age (I am an Audiologist that works primarily with adults)but some private offices do not have this equipment . Childrens has the equipment as well as tests LOTS of kids so you can be confident in the results you get there.

Remeber, you are your childs best advocate. Do what you feel is needed. Good luck and keep us posted.

I have a 2yr degree in American Sign Language and I would suggest you take him to a doctor and get a hearing test. Some of the symptoms you described could point to some level of hearing loss. It doesn't mean he has a total loss. Fortunately, there are a lot of things that can help your son if he's diagnosed early. This may be devestating to you, but believe me...I've seen many deaf people, young and old, who have lived wonderful fulfilled lives.

But do take him in and get him checked. Best to you.

This is something that needs to be addressed at his next well-baby visit. He should be do for one any time now. This age was about the time that it was discovered that I am blind. My grandmother noticed that I did not react to visual stimuli. I would definitely speak to your pediatrician about it. And, even if everything is normal, it's best to bring it up anyway just in case.

God bless,
A.

HI K., you are never overreacting when it comes to your child's welfare and concerns. In the state of Ohio every newborn has a newborn hearing screening prior to dismissal which will rule out more than a mild hearing loss from birth. However that does not mean that hearing loss can develop either from ear infections (temporary hearing loss) or possible viruses. I would see your pediatrician in case there is a possible ear infection, however (depedning on insurance referrals if needed) if you are very concerned go ahead and set up an appointment to see an audiologist for a hearing test. At three motnhs of age we are limited on testing however there are a few simple tests that can look at yoru child's auditroy system. I would recommend Columbus Speech and hearing center. they can perform a test to assess for fluid from infection, look for behavioral responses, and test the function of the hearing organ without your child having to participate. I am sure everything is okay but it is critical for speech anc language development to rule out even a mild loss. good luck and best wishes

E.
(i am also an audiologist primarily working with the adult population at this time)

Dear K.,
I read your story about you baby and I wanted to tell you my story and maybe it would help.
When I was born I could not hear anything and my parents were unaware of it for quite a while. When my Mom finally noticed that something might be wrong she immediately took me to the doctor of course.
What the problem was, I had a build up of wax from birth that was down far inside my ear which was causing me to appear like I was deaf. It was not on the surface like we see when we clean out our ears.
I don't know if this helps at all but I thought I would share my story so that maybe you could ask your pediatrician about it.
I hope all works out for you and your family and may God Bless you.

I know there used to be tests that could be done. My cousin was having issues that we thought were hearing. I turned out she could hear just fine. She had major learning issues. I know babies can be born deaf but usually it's the result of a bad fever that won't go down. I know a young man who went deaf at 18 months. He has an implant and is responding well to school now.

hi, my son is deaf. the law that hospitals are supposed to give them hearing test was past right after he was born. so he did not get the test. but i firmly believe he could hear when he was born. only because when someone was holding him and he heard my voice even if i was in the other room he would get mad. my sister in law would not let me talk because then he would get mad. but he is deaf now. i had cmv when i was pregnat which is a virus that anyone can get and not know they have. which causes deafness . and you can be born hearing and slowly lose it or keep it till you are a couple of years and then lose it. lot of possibles. so in saying that it is very possible for you child to hear and now not. they can re do the test to check the babys hearing which if you have thoughts he might not be. the earlier you get help the better. and if anything it will eas your mind. my wake up call was the house alarm going off and jaden slept through it he was 9 months at that time. the best test that i found was to get a rattle of some kind and lay your baby in your lap (looking at you. and with out your baby seeing the moving of your hand. rattle on each side to see if they turn there head.but the sooner you get help the better. you would be surprised what they can do for these little babies. ya know i have a 2 and half year old also and i am dumbfounded at the difference there is . you open a door and he is turning his head. where as my first son. he was an excellent baby. i could take him to nice restarents and he would just sit and be good. he stayed asleep good. we see dr choo at childrens and the audiologist at the eastgate location childrens. they are all very nice. and we seen mrdd and i loved them.all and by the way my son always babbled. he still does.

Hi K.,
I would contact a children's audiologist and ask them at what age they will start seeing children, tell them your concerns, and go from there. They are experts, and it would be best to have any problems found as early as possible. The hearing screening at birth only can sense if there's a structural problem within the ear. Also, this is done with a machine and all machines are subject to error/malfunction.

My mom thought my son was deaf pretty much since birth but none of us living in the house thought that. Turned out my son had Autism. If he is really not responding and turning his head then I would try to seek help right away. I would ask your Dr to send him to children's hospital audiology dept. We went there for testing for about 9 months (3 visits) and they were all pretty much inconclusive since he was non-compliant with what the people asked of him. (18 mos old on)
So during his Autism diagnosis (over a year later) they put him to sleep put things all over the outside of his head, put an earplug in each ear, hooked him up to a laptop and played several sounds in each ear and could tell by the things all over his head that his brain was getting the signals. Therefore we then knew his hearing was fine. Even today at age 5 I have professionals asking me if he is deaf!

So DEMAND the test with the computer during sleep if you want to be sure. Unless anyone else has any brighter ideas on here. Children's hosp kept us coming back every 3 months to try to do the test over again. *Was very stressful for us -the not knowing-*

D. in Dillonvale

My daughter (now 8) was born with a congential hearing impairment. She was not given the test in the hospital because it was not the law then. We did not notice until she was 2 and was not speaking. She could hear some things (like hands clapping) so we did not realize there was a problem until she wasn't starting to talk. She was given some different hearing tests but the one that confirmed it was the BAER Test. She was sedated and hooked up to a machine which confirmed that she had a severe hearing loss. It only took about an hour for her to fall asleep and then run the test. She continues to see an ENT and an audiologist to monitor her hearing loss to see if it is getting worse. Have your child checked immediately. Do not wait!!! My daughter is struggling now in school because her language development is 2 years behind. I would have given anything to know at 3 months. Good Luck!!

With both of my children the hospital administered a hearing test to them when they were first born so there is a test that can be done. Something definitely to talk to your pediatrician about.

Did you have his hearing check at birth? I think you should get his hearing checked ASAP. Even if it is to just make you feel better, don't let the Doctor tell you all is okay, tell him it's your mothering intuition that you want his hearing checked.

good luck
K.