# Newborn Hearing and Vision: Screening Tests and What Babies See and Hear

> The newborn hearing screen and follow-up, what newborns can see, eye checks, and hearing and vision milestones.

Stage: newborn - Topic: Play and development - Page: https://www.askcladle.com/guides/newborn/newborn-hearing-and-vision

Grounded in: AAP HealthyChildren guidance on newborn vision and hearing, the CDC Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program (the 1-3-6 plan), and AAP / American Academy of Ophthalmology guidance on infant eye checks. Summarized in Cradle's own words; none of these sources endorse Cradle. General information, not medical advice.

Reviewed: 2026-11

## TLDR

- Every baby needs a newborn hearing screen; if it's not a pass, get the full test by 3 months.
- Newborns see best at 8-12 inches, about the distance to your face, and love faces and high contrast. Talk, sing and read.
- A white or cloudy pupil, or a white glow in flash photos, needs a visit within days.

## Hearing at birth

- Babies hear well at birth and already know the voices they heard in the womb. Many calm to a
  familiar voice in the first days.
- Every baby should have a newborn hearing screen, usually before leaving the hospital or birth
  center. It's quick and painless, often done while the baby sleeps.
- The 1-3-6 plan: screen by 1 month, full hearing test by 3 months if the screen isn't a pass, and
  support started by 6 months if there is hearing loss.
- Not passing the screen is common, often from fluid or debris in the ear after birth. It doesn't
  mean the baby can't hear, but the follow-up test really matters. Book it promptly.
- Born at home or discharged early? Ask your midwife or pediatrician where to get the screen.

## Hearing milestones

- Newborn: startles or blinks at sudden loud sounds; quiets or stirs to voices.
- By 2-3 months: coos, calms to your voice, may smile when spoken to.
- By 4-6 months: turns eyes or head toward sounds, enjoys rattles and music, babbles with varied sounds.
- Hearing loss can also develop later, after some infections or with a family history. Keep
  watching even after a pass.

## Vision at birth

- Newborns see best about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) away, roughly the distance to a caregiver's face
  during a feed. Beyond that, the world is blurry.
- They prefer faces and high-contrast patterns: black and white, bold edges.
- Color vision develops over the first months. By about 4-5 months it is much richer.
- Eyes may wander or cross now and then in the first months. That's common while eye muscles learn
  to work together, and usually settles by about 4 months.

## Vision milestones

- By 1-2 months: looks at faces, follows a slowly moving face or object briefly.
- By 2-3 months: follows objects side to side, smiles back at a smiling face.
- By 4-6 months: reaches for toys, eyes work together most of the time, tracks across the room.

## Checks the pediatrician does

- A red reflex test at birth and well visits: a light shows a red glow in each pupil, like red-eye
  in photos. It screens for cataracts and rare eye tumors.
- Eye alignment, tracking and response to light.

## Everyday ways to support senses

- Talk, sing and read to your baby in any language your family speaks (see the talk to your baby guide).
- Face time close up. Let babies watch your mouth when you talk.
- Simple high-contrast cards or patterns during tummy time. No screens needed.
- Keep sound levels sensible: no headphones on babies; use ear protection at fireworks or concerts.

## When to check in

- Book the full hearing test right away if the screen wasn't a pass, or if it was never done.
- Mention at a checkup if your baby doesn't startle at loud sounds, doesn't turn to sounds by about
  6 months, doesn't follow faces by about 3 months, or if eyes still cross or wander often after 4 months.
- A white, yellow or cloudy pupil, including a white glow in one eye in flash photos, needs a
  prompt visit within days.