Patient Resources

Information to help you decide when to seek help, and what happens when you visit Vākśravaṇa Clinic.

Speech, language and hearing milestones

Every child develops at their own unique pace. This chart is a general guide based on average milestones. Children usually need the full age range listed to master every skill in a category. Missing one specific skill is normal and does not mean your child has a disorder. However, if your child hasn't met the majority of milestones in their age range, please give us a call on 96060 80649 to schedule an evaluation with one of our Audiologists / Speech-Language Pathologists.

Hearing / understanding developmental milestones

Age range	Developmental milestones
Birth – 3 Months	Startles to loud sounds. Quiets or smiles when spoken to. Seems to recognize your voice and quiets if crying. Increases or decreases sucking behaviour in response to sound.
4 – 6 Months	Moves eyes in the direction of sounds. Responds to changes in the tone of your voice. Notices toys that make sounds. Pays attention to music.
7 Months – 1 Year	Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake. Turns and looks in the direction of sounds. Listens when spoken to. Recognizes words for common items (e.g., "cup," "shoe," "juice," "book"). Begins to respond to requests (e.g., "Come here," "Want more?").
1 – 2 Years	Points to a few body parts when asked. Follows single directions and understands simple questions (e.g., "Roll the ball," "Where's your shoe?"). Listens to simple stories, songs, and rhymes. Points to pictures in a book when named.
2 – 3 Years	Understands differences in meaning (e.g., "go-stop," "in-on," "big-little," "up-down"). Follows two-part requests (e.g., "Get the books and put them on the table"). Listens to and enjoys hearing stories for longer periods.
3 – 4 Years	Hears you when you call from another room. Hears television or radio at the same loudness level as other family members. Answers simple "who?," "what?," "when?," and "why?" questions.
4 – 5 Years	Pays attention to short stories and answers simple questions about them. Understands words involving sequencing (first, next, last) and time (yesterday, today, tomorrow). Hears and understands most of what is said at home and in school.

Speech and language developmental milestones

Age range	Developmental milestones
Birth – 3 Months	Makes pleasure sounds (cooing, gooing). Cries differently for different needs. Smiles when they see you.
4 – 6 Months	Babbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds (including p, b, and m). Chuckles and laughs. Vocalizes excitement and displeasure. Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you.
7 Months – 1 Year	Babbling has both long and short groups of sounds (e.g., "tata upup bibibibi"). Uses speech or non-crying sounds to get and keep attention. Uses gestures to communicate (waving, holding arms to be picked up). Imitates different speech sounds. Has 1 or 2 words (hi, dog, dad, mama) around the first birthday (sounds may not be clear).
1 – 2 Years	Says more words every month. Uses some 1-2 word questions (e.g., "Where kitty?" "Go bye-bye?"). Puts 2 words together (e.g., "More cookie," "No juice"). Uses many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
2 – 3 Years	Has a word for almost everything. Uses 2-3 words to talk about and ask for things. Uses k, g, f, t, d, and n sounds. Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time. Often asks for or directs attention to objects by naming them.
3 – 4 Years	Talks about activities at school or at friends' homes. People outside the family usually understand the child's speech. Uses a lot of sentences that have 4 or more words. Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words.
4 – 5 Years	Uses sentences that give lots of details (e.g., "The biggest peach is mine"). Tells stories that stick to the topic. Communicates easily with other children and adults. Says most sounds correctly (except a few like l, s, r, v, z, j, ch, sh, th). Says rhyming words. Names some letters and numbers. Uses the same grammar as the rest of the family.

Signs of hearing loss

A baby who does not react to loud sounds or turn to voices
A child whose speech is delayed or unclear, or who often asks "what?"
Turning the TV or phone volume up
Finding it hard to follow conversation in groups or noise
Ringing or buzzing in the ears, or dizziness

About our hearing tests

Speech, voice and swallowing: when to ask

Stuttering that lasts more than six months, or causes worry
Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
Coughing or choking when eating or drinking
Difficulty speaking or understanding after a stroke or head injury

All the conditions we treat

Your first visit

1. Book

Call or WhatsApp 96060 80649, or request an appointment online.

2. Case history

We ask about the concern, medical history and, for children, development.

3. Assessment

Tests chosen for the concern — hearing, speech, language, voice, fluency or swallowing.

4. Results and plan

We explain the findings and agree a therapy or hearing-care plan with you.

Please bring

Any previous hearing, speech or medical reports, and discharge summaries
Hearing aids, if you use them
A list of current medicines
For children: a favourite toy or snack, and school reports if there are concerns at school

Frequently asked questions

Can a newborn baby's hearing be tested?

Yes. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) screening is quick and painless and can be done while the baby sleeps. If a baby does not pass, BERA estimates the hearing level. About these tests.

How many therapy sessions will be needed?

It depends on the condition, its severity and the person's age. After the assessment, the therapist explains the plan and how often sessions are recommended, and progress is reviewed regularly.

Is Vākśravaṇa Clinic part of the college?

The clinic belongs to MVM College of Speech & Hearing. Patients are assessed and treated by qualified Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists; students of the college may observe or assist under their supervision. For courses and admissions, see MVM College of Speech & Hearing.

Do you see adults as well as children?

Yes. We see newborns, children, adults and older people, for hearing, speech, language, voice, fluency and swallowing problems.

How do I book an appointment?

Call or WhatsApp the clinic on 96060 80649, email mvmcosh@gmail.com, or request an appointment online and we will call you back to confirm a time.