I wasn't born hoh but around 7 lost a good amount. I learned asl at 14 and it's opened up my world. I did also learn if you don't use it you lose it. Over the years (now 28 year old) I have used it less since I don't go out much and my partner is super loud as are my kids. Plus one of my kids is hard of sight so I thought it a little rude to teach the others and her suffer in return. But my hearing is going fast so I am relying on my memory on vocabulary.