I have a 10-month-old son and lately I have become more and more concerned with his hearing. Sometimes he seems to hear okay but other times I can say his name over and over and over and he won't even turn around or blink an eye. It's usually when he is getting into something he knows he shouldn't (i.e. the entertainment center). I have also tried clapping on either side but he doesn't turn and keeps going about his business playing with the DVDs. Other times I know he heres because he is woken up when I open the door to his room or will turn to look at me if I make a crazy noise. He used to start clapping when I said the word "clap" but now he won't even do that for me. Is this normal behavior when a baby is just too preoccupied to pay attention to anybody else but what he is doing at the moment or could there be a more serious problem?? I am already planning on talking to his pediatrician but was just curious to see if anybody else experienced anything like this with their infants.
Thanks!!
My 7 year old daughter is still like that and was as a baby too. My Mother-in-Law said my husband was too. When I need to get her attention I clap my hands loudly first, she looks at me immediatly and then I talk to her.
Hi H.,
When your son is getting into what he shouldn't a lot is going on, his brain is processsing this new devise, how it works and how he can make it fun for him. That's a lot of concentration at once, so I bet he just didn't hear you.
Children, especially boys need physical contact to be able to hear and redirect their thoughts. I strongly recommend all parents I coach to touch their child, make eye contact and then provide direction/instruction.
With that said, it's always best to have a doc look at the issue to rule it out.
R. Magby
Have his hearing tested to rule out a hearing problem.
.
Unless he wants your attention it's likely you sound like static. My kids were/are the same. My 10mo only seems to hear me when I am trying to engage her in play.
Never hurts to get the ears checked, though. My eldest suffers from chronic ear infections and she's a-symptomatic. She's getting tubes.
Good luck!
My daughter did the same thing before she was a year old, too. I was a little worried at first, but her pediatrician said it was perfectly normal. Their brains are working so hard that sometimes they just don't want to turn away from what they are doing. I would definitely check it out if it makes you feel better, but that it just a sign that he is developing well.
He probably isn't clapping anymore because he is bored with it. My little girl used to do lots of things when I said the word, but now she rarely does. It is old news to her now. ^_^
My daughter is 15 months old and has selective hearing as well. From a very early age, she was "unable" to hear me calling her name when she is up to no good. I think your son is perfectly normal and just doesn't want to stop to listen to what you are saying.
Take no chances, have his hearing checked and see an ENT. There is a progressive type of hearing loss that is inconsistent so you should rule out any hearing issue because treatment and intervention are so essential. Chances are that it is behavior, but never gamble with hearing.
M.
If he's heard well up until now, it's probably just that his attention is elsewhere. There's lots going on in the world, mom! :)
Take him in so they can look in his ears, maybe he's got a wax buildup, but I'm sure he's fine. :)
Updated
If he's heard well up until now, it's probably just that his attention is elsewhere. There's lots going on in the world, mom! :)
Take him in so they can look in his ears, maybe he's got a wax buildup, but I'm sure he's fine. :)
I have been going through old movies and have found it so funny all those times that we tried to get my then 6m to 12m boy to turn to us for the movie. I watch those now and think wow, I can see his selective hearing even then. His hearing is just fine even now that he is 6. Bring it up to the doctor, but especially watching these movies, I can say he may be just fine.
