Are students who had a hearing loss before learning language the same as students who learned speech and language and then experienced a hearing loss?

Are students who had a hearing loss before learning language the same as students who learned speech and language and then experienced a hearing loss?

• A. True
• B. Sometimes
• C. Not sure
• D. False

Answer: (D)

The timing of when hearing loss begins relative to language learning changes how language develops and how students access communication. If a child is deaf before they start to acquire language, they lack exposure to spoken language during the early, sensitive period for language development, so their language system often develops differently and they may rely on sign language or other visual communication and intensive supports to build vocabulary, grammar, and social use of language. If a child learns language first and then later experiences hearing loss, they already have an established language foundation, and while new auditory input may be limited, their prior language knowledge provides a different basis for communication and learning. So these aren’t the same situation or outcomes, which is why the statement is false.

The timing of when hearing loss begins relative to language learning changes how language develops and how students access communication. If a child is deaf before they start to acquire language, they lack exposure to spoken language during the early, sensitive period for language development, so their language system often develops differently and they may rely on sign language or other visual communication and intensive supports to build vocabulary, grammar, and social use of language. If a child learns language first and then later experiences hearing loss, they already have an established language foundation, and while new auditory input may be limited, their prior language knowledge provides a different basis for communication and learning.

So these aren’t the same situation or outcomes, which is why the statement is false.