Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss relates to the inner ear and shares some of the same causes as conductive hearing loss, such as otosclerosis and head trauma. The majority of sensorineural hearing loss issues in adults are due to inner ear problems.

Common causes of hearing damage and loss include exposure to loud noises over an extended period of time (this includes everyday activities, such as using a hair dryer or lawn mower or riding a motorcycle), as well as genetic inheritance and aging. In most cases, sensorineural hearing loss is caused by irreversible damage to the mechanisms of the inner ear, such as hair cells and nerve cells.