Baby Not Responding to Sounds
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about baby not responding to sounds, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Babies should respond to sounds from birth - startling at loud noises, calming to familiar voices, and turning toward sounds by 4-6 months. If your baby consistently doesn't react to sounds, a hearing evaluation should be your first step. Hearing loss affects about 1-3 in 1,000 newborns and is highly treatable when caught early - early identification leads to much better language outcomes.
Key takeaways
- Babies should respond to sounds from birth - startling at loud noises, calming to familiar voices, and turning toward sounds by 4-6 months. If your baby consistently doesn't react to sounds, a hearing evaluation should be your first step. Hearing loss affects about 1-3 in 1,000 newborns and is highly treatable when caught early - early identification leads to much better language outcomes.
- Usually normal when: Your baby sometimes ignores sounds when deeply focused on playing or exploring - selective attention is normal and different from not hearing.
- Call your doctor if: Your newborn doesn't startle at loud, sudden sounds - request a hearing screening if one hasn't been done, or a follow-up if the initial screen was inconclusive.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, babies should respond to sounds from birth - startling at loud noises, calming to familiar voices, and turning toward sounds by 4-6 months. If your baby consistently doesn't react to sounds, a hearing evaluation should be your first step. Hearing loss affects about 1-3 in 1,000 newborns and is highly treatable when caught early - early identification leads to much better language outcomes. At 0-3 months, newborns should startle or blink in response to loud, sudden sounds (called the Moro reflex). They should also calm or become alert when they hear familiar voices, especially their mother's voice. All newborns in the US receive a hearing screening before leaving the hospital. If your baby passed this screening but you have concerns, trust your instincts - hearing can change, and a follow-up evaluation is easy to arrange. It is generally considered normal when your baby sometimes ignores sounds when deeply focused on playing or exploring - selective attention is normal and different from not hearing. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your newborn doesn't startle at loud, sudden sounds - request a hearing screening if one hasn't been done, or a follow-up if the initial screen was inconclusive.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Newborns should startle or blink in response to loud, sudden sounds (called the Moro reflex). They should also calm or become alert when they hear familiar voices, especially their mother's voice. All newborns in the US receive a hearing screening before leaving the hospital. If your baby passed this screening but you have concerns, trust your instincts - hearing can change, and a follow-up evaluation is easy to arrange.
3-6 months
By 3-4 months, babies should be turning their eyes or head toward the source of a sound. They should respond to your voice by smiling, cooing, or becoming quiet. By 6 months, babies typically localize sound well - they turn directly toward where a sound is coming from. If your baby doesn't do any of these things, request a formal audiological evaluation.
6-9 months
Babies at this age should respond to their name, turn toward new sounds, and seem to enjoy music or singing. They should also be starting to babble, which requires being able to hear their own sounds and the sounds of others. Absence of babbling by 9 months can sometimes indicate a hearing concern and should be assessed.
9-12 months
By this age, babies should clearly respond to familiar words, turn reliably when called by name, and respond to simple verbal requests. If your baby seems to ignore sounds, especially voices and their name, a comprehensive hearing evaluation is essential. Hearing loss can be partial - affecting only certain frequencies - so even a baby who responds to some sounds may have a hearing issue.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby not responding to sounds and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 4 months and doesn't consistently turn toward the source of sounds.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to notice when you enter the room and start talking unless they can see you.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby sometimes ignores sounds when deeply focused on playing or exploring - selective attention is normal and different from not hearing.
- Your baby startles at loud sounds but doesn't always turn toward quieter sounds - sound localization develops gradually during the first 6 months.
- Your baby responds more to voices and music than to environmental noises - babies naturally prioritize human speech sounds.
- Your baby passed their newborn hearing screening and responds to sounds inconsistently - they may just be absorbed in what they're doing.
- Your baby is over 4 months and doesn't consistently turn toward the source of sounds.
- Your baby doesn't seem to notice when you enter the room and start talking unless they can see you.
- Your baby is over 9 months and doesn't respond to their name, even when you're close and there are no distractions.
- Your baby had frequent ear infections and you've noticed a change in their responsiveness to sounds.
- Your newborn doesn't startle at loud, sudden sounds - request a hearing screening if one hasn't been done, or a follow-up if the initial screen was inconclusive.
- Your baby at any age seems to have stopped responding to sounds they used to react to - sudden hearing changes can be caused by ear infections, fluid buildup, or other treatable conditions.
- Your baby has no babbling by 9 months AND doesn't respond to sounds - this combination strongly suggests hearing should be tested immediately.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby not responding to sounds — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby sometimes ignores sounds when deeply focused on playing or exploring - selective attention is normal and different from not hearing — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your newborn doesn't startle at loud, sudden sounds - request a hearing screening if one hasn't been done, or a follow-up if the initial screen was inconclusive.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is baby not responding to sounds normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby not responding to sounds?
When is baby not responding to sounds normal?
What causes baby not responding to sounds?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby not responding to sounds?
Is baby not responding to sounds normal at 0-3 months?
Is baby not responding to sounds normal at 3-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby not responding to sounds?
Does baby not responding to sounds go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Hearing Assessment in Infants and Children: Recommendations Beyond Neonatal Screening. Pediatrics. AAP
- [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hearing Loss in Children: What Parents Need to Know. CDC
- [3]National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Your Baby's Hearing and Communicative Development Checklist. NIH
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Not Responding to Sounds.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby not responding to sounds and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 4 months and doesn't consistently turn toward the source of sounds.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to notice when you enter the room and start talking unless they can see you.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 4 months and doesn't consistently turn toward the source of sounds.
- Your baby doesn't seem to notice when you enter the room and start talking unless they can see you.
- Your baby is over 9 months and doesn't respond to their name, even when you're close and there are no distractions.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your newborn doesn't startle at loud, sudden sounds - request a hearing screening if one hasn't been done, or a follow-up if the initial screen was inconclusive.
- Your baby at any age seems to have stopped responding to sounds they used to react to - sudden hearing changes can be caused by ear infections, fluid buildup, or other treatable conditions.
- Your baby has no babbling by 9 months AND doesn't respond to sounds - this combination strongly suggests hearing should be tested immediately.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby not responding to sounds are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your newborn doesn't startle at loud, sudden sounds - request a hearing screening if one hasn't been done, or a follow-up if the initial screen was inconclusive.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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