Classifications of Deafness By Age
Deaf CultureWHEN someone becomes deaf can be just as important a question as HOW they become deaf. There are different types of deafness classifications based on when the person becomes deaf, including:
The person is either born deaf or becomes deaf.
- Congenitally deaf is a person who is born deaf.
- Adventitiously deaf is a person who becomes deaf.
There are two classifications of deafness if the person is adventitiously deaf.
- Pre-lingual is a person who becomes deaf by the age of 3 years old.
- Post-lingual is a person who becomes deaf after the age of 3 years old.
There is an additional classification if the person is post-lingual and became deaf later in life.
- A late deafened adult is a person who becomes deaf after age 19.
As you can see, the amount of time the person was exposed to sound and spoken language before becoming deaf is factored into these categories.
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About the Authors
Marta Belsky is Deaf and a third generation ASL user. She has been teaching ASL for over 35 years and enjoys sharing her native language with new users. She has a Bachelor's degree from Gallaudet University and a Masters in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College. She has taught ASL at multiple universities, coordinated interpreter services at a major university, and is a co-owner of Signing Savvy.
Brenda Cartwright is a Coda, seasoned interpreter, a master teacher, well known presenter, and author of several best selling sign language and interpreting textbooks from the RID Press. For 35 years Brenda was the Chair of the Sign Language Interpreter Program at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan.
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Savvy User DjThursday, January 19, 2023
I found these definitions quite interesting and worthwhile. I am an over 50 adult who finally lost my hearing about 5 years ago. The definition of late deafened adult is a perfect way to describe myself. I can speak if necessary but I cannot hear what people say. I shall be using this definition in the furture.