Sensorineural hearing loss is a type of hearing impairment that occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve pathways that connect the inner ear to the brain. It is characterized by a reduced ability to detect and understand sounds, resulting in difficulty hearing and interpreting speech or other types of sounds.
The inner ear consists of tiny hair cells that help convert sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. When these hair cells are damaged or destroyed, they do not properly transmit the electrical signals, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss.
This type of hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, genetic factors, and certain medical conditions. It is commonly associated with the natural aging process, known as presbycusis.
Symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss may include difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, problems hearing certain frequencies or pitches, the perception of muffled or distorted sounds, increased volume required for listening, and ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus).
Treatment options for sensorineural hearing loss include hearing aids and cochlear implants, which can help amplify and clarify sound signals for the person with the hearing loss. However, the effectiveness of treatment may vary depending on the severity and underlying cause of the condition.
