Which type of hearing loss occurs after birth?

Acquired hearing loss refers to hearing impairment that occurs after a child has been born, typically following the development of normal hearing. This type of hearing loss can arise from various causes, such as illness, injury, exposure to loud noises, ototoxic medications, or age-related factors. While congenital hearing loss is present at birth, postlingual hearing loss refers specifically to hearing loss that develops after a child has learned to speak and understand language, generally occurring after the age of two or three. Prelingual hearing loss occurs before this critical period of language acquisition. Understanding these distinctions helps educators and caregivers support individuals with hearing impairments more effectively.