What type of hearing loss develops after the birth of an individual?

Acquired hearing loss refers to hearing impairment that develops after birth, as a result of various factors such as illness, injury, exposure to loud noise, aging, ototoxic medications, or infections. This type of hearing loss can occur at any point in life and is often characterized by the sudden or gradual loss of ability to hear.

In contrast, congenital hearing loss is present at birth, typically caused by genetic factors or complications during pregnancy or delivery. Temporary hearing loss may occur due to conditions like ear infections, but it is generally reversible. Environmental hearing loss is not a formally recognized category in audiology; while the environment can contribute to hearing issues, this term doesn't specifically denote the nature of the loss itself. Thus, the correct option clearly aligns with the understanding that acquired hearing loss develops after birth based on various external or internal influences.