What is a red flag for hearing impairment in infancy?

• A. Not turning toward sounds by about 3 months
• B. Not turning toward sounds by about 9 months
• C. Not turning toward sounds by about 12 months
• D. Not turning toward sounds by about 6 months

Answer: (D)

Not turning toward sounds by about six months is a red flag because by around this age infants should actively localize and orient to auditory stimuli. When a baby hears a sound, turning their head toward the source is a normal, expected response that reflects intact peripheral hearing and basic auditory processing. If this response isn’t present by six months, it raises concern for possible hearing impairment and prompts a formal evaluation by audiology and a review of possible contributing factors (such as ear canal obstruction or middle-ear issues) so that early intervention can be pursued if needed.

Choosing a six-month threshold emphasizes early detection; waiting until later ages, like nine or twelve months, delays identification and can impact language and social development. A three-month delay is more uncertain, and while it’s not as reliable a benchmark for all infants, the six-month mark is the standard cue for screening.