What type of hearing loss occurs after the development of language?

Postlingual hearing loss refers to a decline in hearing ability that occurs after a child has developed language skills. This type of hearing loss typically affects individuals who have already acquired spoken language, meaning they have learned to communicate before their hearing deteriorates. The implications of postlingual hearing loss are significant because the individual may experience challenges in both social interactions and academic performance due to their changes in auditory perception, while still having a foundation in language.

In contrast, prelingual hearing loss occurs before the acquisition of language, which can severely hinder the development of effective communication skills. Conductive hearing impairment involves issues with the outer or middle ear that can often be treated medically or surgically, and may not affect language development as profoundly when resolved early. Sensory hearing impairment refers to damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve but does not specifically indicate the timing concerning language acquisition.