Assess changes in your child's behavior that might indicate a hearing loss. Compare present behavior with past behavior. Also, pay attention to the quality of your child's speech. Children must be able to hear well for normal speech and language to develop.

Does your child:

• Listen to simple stories, songs, or rhymes?
• Follow simple commands and understand simple questions, such as "roll the ball," "kiss the baby," or "where is your shoe?"
• Point to a few body parts when asked?
• Point to pictures in a book when they are named?