Final answer:
Samantha, who became deaf shortly after birth due to an ear infection and communicates predominantly through ASL, is described as 'Deaf from birth'. ASL is an integral part of Deaf culture, which endorses using sign language and preserving Deaf community traditions over verbal communication and lip-reading.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that most accurately describes Samantha, who contracted a severe ear infection shortly after birth and has been Deaf for most of her life, is a) Deaf from birth. Samantha grew up learning American Sign Language (ASL), which is a key aspect of Deaf culture. Deaf individuals have their own language, schools, and customs, and ASL is a visual language with no verbal component, necessary for communication within the Deaf community. The idea of preserving sign language and traditions of the Deaf community is valued highly within Deaf culture, contrasting with the practice of teaching deaf children to verbalize and read lips, or receive cochlear implant surgery.
Parents of deaf children face challenging decisions whether to enroll their child in mainstream schools to focus on verbal communication skills or in schools for deaf children where they can learn ASL and be exposed to Deaf culture. Hearing loss can be caused by various factors including genetic, environmental causes, or complications like infections.