It's not uncommon for a parent to sometimes say something over and over again to a child without getting any response. But if your child has problems hearing you, understanding you and responding to you regularly, there could be something wrong. If it persists, it's time to ask your child's physician for a referral to an audiologist for a hearing test. For more information, call the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists at 1-800-259-8519.

If your child does have a problem hearing, here are several ways to make it easier for her to hear you:

• Keep your child out of loud and confusing places.



• Look directly at her when you’re speaking.



• Speak slowly and clearly.



• Try not to give too many instructions at once.