Signs Your Child Might Need a Speech, Language, or Hearing Evaluation

Aug 11

Not every missed sound or moment of forgetfulness is a sign of a deeper issue, but sometimes, those small signs are worth paying closer attention to. At Sound Speech & Hearing Clinic, we often hear parents say:

“I wasn’t sure if this was normal—or if I should be concerned.”

If you’ve ever had that feeling in your gut, this post is for you.

Whether your child is a chatty preschooler, a quiet middle/high schooler, or somewhere in between, here are some signs that may indicate it’s time for a speech, language, or hearing evaluation.

🧠 Speech and Language Red Flags

Speech and language development varies widely, but some concerns are worth checking out, especially if they persist over time. These include:

For Preschoolers:

Not using two-word combinations by age 2
Difficult to understand more than 75% of the time by age 3
Limited vocabulary or short, choppy sentences
Frustration when trying to express themselves

For School-Aged Children:

Trouble following multi-step directions
Difficulty telling stories with clear beginning/middle/end
Frequent “what?” or “huh?” responses
Struggles with reading, spelling, or phonics
Avoiding speaking in group or classroom settings

👂 Hearing and Listening Red Flags

Even if your child passed a newborn hearing screen or school-based test, hearing loss and auditory processing challenges can emerge later. Watch for:

Turning the TV or iPad up louder than others prefer
Difficulty understanding in noisy settings (e.g., classrooms, restaurants)
Asking for repetition often (huh? what?)
Trouble remembering verbal information
Inconsistent responses when spoken to

🧩 Beyond the Checklist: Trusting Your Instincts

No list can capture the unique nuances of your child. Sometimes you’re the first to notice something’s off, maybe they’re not keeping up with peers, or maybe they’re losing confidence in situations that used to be easy.

If you’re seeing a pattern, it’s okay to ask questions and get answers.

💬 What Happens in an Evaluation?

At Sound, we offer individualized evaluations for:

Speech clarity and sound production
Expressive and receptive language
Pragmatic (social) communication
Hearing and central auditory processing

Our assessments are unique to each patient, and are here to understand the whole child, not just test scores.

We also offer guidance on what comes next: therapy, home strategies, or even just reassurance that your child is right where they need to be.

✨ Don’t Wait and Wonder

The earlier we understand what’s going on, the sooner we can build a plan for progress. If something feels off, you don’t have to wait for a teacher or pediatrician to raise a flag, you can start the conversation now.

Your child’s voice, confidence, and ability to connect are worth every step.

Jody Vaynshtok

Jody is a California-licensed speech language pathologist with eight years of industry and clinical experience. She has worked with both adult and pediatric populations during her time at private practice, birth-to-three, and hospital facilities. She is experienced in the assessment and treatment of a variety of communication and cognitive disorders. In addition, Jody has a passion for working with adults looking to achieve clearer communication. Jody received her BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences and MS in Medical Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington. She was a part of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford’s cleft and craniofacial clinic participating in the multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of children born with craniofacial abnormalities. She holds a staff position at UCSF and is the lead speech language pathologist for the department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery’s Hearing Loss Clinic. When she's not busy having fun with her clients Jody enjoys spending time with her husband, Anton, friends and family. And if she's not headed out somewhere fun for dinner, you might find her at Bar Method working out!