SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there is damage to the inner ear or to the nerves that travel from the ear to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and can make even loud noises sound quiet to the listener.
Characteristic signs of sensorineural hearing loss
A sensorineural hearing loss causes softer sounds to become difficult to hear or distinguish. It can also make differentiating between similar sounds like “she” and “fee” a challenge.
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss
- Aging – Aging is a main cause of all types of hearing loss
- Noise exposure – Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by loud noise exposure, which can lead to damage in the inner ear
- Genetic or hereditary conditions – Genetic sensorineural hearing loss may affect infants from birth or develop later in life
- Illnesses and conditions – Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by several health conditions including: meningitis, Ménière's disease, acoustic neuroma, multiple sclerosis, and malformation of the inner ear
- Drugs and medication – Sensorineural hearing loss can be a side-effect of certain medications and cancer treatment
- Head trauma – Head injuries can cause damage to the inner ear, which in turn causes sensorineural hearing loss
- Congenital and birth-related hearing loss – Injections during pregnancy, complications during birth, premature birth, and hereditary predispositions can all cause sensorineural hearing loss in newborns
Treatment for sensorineural hearing loss
Although there is no cure for sensorineural hearing loss, and it cannot be treated surgically or medically, many people with sensorineural hearing loss can benefit from the use of hearing aids.
