Newborns in Delaware automatically are screened for hearing problems at the hospital. Don't panic if your baby "fails" his test. It's hard to determine whether it's a false result or an indication of impairment.

"That's why we check hearing at least two times," says Lewis.

According to the House Ear Institute, here are possible signs that your child might be experiencing hearing trouble, and should be tested:

Infants: Signs of hearing problems generally include failure to blink or startle at loud noises; failure to turn the head toward familiar sounds; greater responsiveness to loud noises than to voices; a failure to babble, coo or squeal; the consistent ability to sleep through loud noises; and monotonal babbling.

Toddlers: Signs that may indicate hearing loss include failure to speak clearly by age 2, showing no interest in being read to or in playing word games, habitual yelling or shrieking when communicating or playing, greater responsiveness to facial expressions than to speech, shyness or withdrawal and frequent confusion and puzzlement.

Older children: Signs of hearing loss are similar to those for adults, including inappropriate responses to questions or other sound stimuli, a failure to respond to verbal requests and a seeming inattentiveness.

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