Baby Hearing and Language: How Babies Learn to Communicate

Long before your baby says their first word, they're actively learning language. From recognizing your voice in the womb to babbling their first consonants, the journey to speech is already well underway. Understanding how hearing and language develop helps you support your baby's communication skills.

Language development is one of the most remarkable achievements of early childhood, and it starts with hearing—the foundation for all spoken language. AAP

Hearing Development

In the womb: Mayo

• Hearing develops around 18-20 weeks gestation
• Hears mother's voice, heartbeat, digestive sounds
• Responds to loud noises
• Learns rhythms and patterns of language

At birth:

• Hearing is well-developed
• Recognizes mother's voice
• Prefers speech over other sounds
• Startles at loud noises
• Turns toward interesting sounds

First year:

• Localizing sounds improves
• Distinguishes between speech sounds
• Shows preference for native language sounds
• Tunes into speech around them

Language Development: The Progression

0-3 months: CDC

• Cries to communicate
• Begins cooing (vowel sounds: ooh, aah)
• Makes pleasure sounds
• Recognizes your voice
• Quiets when spoken to

3-6 months:

• Babbles with varied sounds
• Adds consonants (ba, ma, da)
• Makes sounds to get attention
• Responds to changes in tone
• Laughs

6-9 months:

• Babbles strings of sounds (bababababa)
• May use sounds with meaning-like quality
• Understands "no" and name
• Points and gestures
• Understands common words in context

9-12 months:

• Babbles with varied intonation (sounds like speech)
• May say first words (mama, dada with meaning)
• Understands more than can say
• Follows simple directions
• Uses gestures with sounds

Supporting Language Development

Talk constantly: AAP

• Narrate your day
• Describe what you're doing
• Name objects
• Talk during caregiving (diaper changes, feeding)
• Use varied vocabulary

Respond to communication:

• Respond to cries promptly
• "Answer" baby's coos and babbles
• Wait for baby to respond to you
• Create back-and-forth "conversations"
• Show that communication works

Read aloud:

• Start from birth
• Any book works for young babies
• Point to pictures for older babies
• Make it interactive
• Daily reading is ideal

Sing:

• Lullabies and action songs
• Repetition helps language learning
• Songs with movement and gestures
• Traditional children's songs

Limit screen time:

• AAP recommends no screen time under 18 months
• Live interaction builds language better
• TV doesn't replace human conversation
• Video chat with family is okay

Hearing Screening

Newborn hearing screen: AAP

• Done before leaving hospital
• Required in most states
• Identifies potential hearing loss
• If baby doesn't pass, follow up is essential

Ongoing monitoring:

• Pediatrician checks at well-visits
• Watch for behavioral signs
• Report concerns promptly
• Early identification is crucial

Signs of Healthy Hearing and Language

0-3 months: CDC

• Startles at loud sounds
• Quiets to familiar voice
• Makes cooing sounds

3-6 months:

• Turns toward sounds
• Responds to changes in tone
• Babbles

6-9 months:

• Responds to name
• Understands "no"
• Babbles with consonants

9-12 months:

• Understands simple words
• Responds to requests
• May say first words

Warning Signs

See a doctor if baby: AAP

• Doesn't startle at loud sounds (any age)
• Doesn't turn to sounds by 6 months
• Doesn't babble by 9 months
• Doesn't respond to name by 12 months
• Has no words by 18 months
• Lost language skills previously had

Hearing loss signs:

• Doesn't respond to sounds
• Inconsistent responses
• Watches faces very intently (compensating)
• Delayed speech
• Frequent ear infections

Bilingual Babies

What to know: AAP

• Babies can learn multiple languages simultaneously
• May have slightly smaller vocabulary in each language initially
• Total vocabulary is often equal to or greater than monolingual babies
• Not confusing—babies separate languages
• Keep using both (or all) languages consistently

What Other Parents Ask

Q: My baby babbles but isn't saying words. When should I worry?
A: First words typically emerge around 12 months but can be later. If baby is babbling with varied sounds, understanding some words, and communicating through gestures, they're on track. No words by 18 months warrants evaluation. CDC

Q: Is baby talk (parentese) good or bad?
A: Good! The sing-song, exaggerated speech adults naturally use with babies (higher pitch, slower pace, animated) actually helps language development. Baby talk is different from using made-up words—talk in real words, just with engaging tone. Mayo

Q: My baby only hears one language at home. Will they be okay?
A: Absolutely. Monolingual children develop language beautifully. Exposure to rich language in any one language is wonderful. AAP

Q: Should I correct my baby's babbling?
A: No need to "correct." Instead, model correct speech. If baby says "baba" for bottle, respond with "Yes, bottle! Here's your bottle." This natural expansion helps without criticism.

The Bottom Line

Hearing and language develop together from birth. Your voice and interaction are the most important tools for language development. Talking, reading, and responding to your baby builds the foundation for communication.

Key milestones:

• 3 months: Cooing, responds to voice
• 6 months: Babbling with consonants
• 9 months: Responds to name, understands "no"
• 12 months: First words may emerge

Clara is here to help you support your baby's language development!