Sensorineural hearing loss
What is sensorineural hearing loss?
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common of the three main types of hearing loss (with the other two being conductive hearing loss and mixed hearing loss).
This type of hearing loss is due to damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear or the auditory nerve (responsible for transmitting sound to the brain). It is most often caused by the natural aging process or exposure to loud sounds1.
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Sensorineural hearing loss causes
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This can happen due to several causes, including:
- Aging - Age-related hearing loss, which is also called Presbycusis, is the most common form of sensorineural hearing loss
- Exposure to loud sounds, such as a one-time explosion or continuous exposure to loud sounds over time
- Certain drugs and medications
- Genetics or complications during birth and pregnancy
What is sudden sensorineural hearing loss?
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) - known as sudden deafness - involves an unexplained rapid loss of hearing all at once or over a couple of days. It is almost always experienced in one ear only.
In some cases, sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss can be reversed by medical treatment. If you experience sudden hearing loss, contact your doctor immediately for urgent medical advice.
Common Sensorineural hearing loss symptoms
It can be difficult to identify the signs and symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss. To help you in the process, below are 6 common symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss:
Sensorineural hearing loss treatment
Sensorineural hearing loss can most often be treated with hearing aids. There are a wide variety of hearing aids available, with plenty of options to suit your needs and preferences. More severe sensorineural losses may benefit from medically implantable devices.
We recommend that you receive treatment as early as possible since sensorineural hearing loss can have unwanted side effects, such as isolation and poor self-esteem.
Prevent hearing loss before it impacts you or a loved one
Even if you don't currently have symptoms of hearing loss, you can still be proactive in trying to prevent it. Using hearing protection, such as ear plugs, molds or earmuffs, may reduce the risk of hearing loss. Wearing this protective gear will help to protect your ears from especially loud sounds, such as :
- Garden tools like lawn mowers and leaf blowers
- Woodworking machinery
- Loud appliances
- Work-related exposure, including factories and construction sites
- Music
Excessively loud everyday sounds, both at home and at work, can pose a risk to your hearing health, so it's a good idea to invest in hearing protection if you expect to be exposed to loud noise. Avoiding loud sounds and reducing exposure can be beneficial for your long-term hearing health.
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B.Comm(Mgt), GradCertSci., M.Clin.Aud.,MAudSA(CCP)
Mona’s career has seen her work in a wide range of audiological areas, including paediatrics, diagnostics and tinnitus counselling, where she ultimately developed a passion for adult rehabilitation and helping not simply hearing care clients but developing the skills of our network of clinicians. Mona’s consistent relationship-focused ability to train and foster the talents of all client-facing team members saw her move into State Management and national training roles, before advancing to her current role as Chief Audiologist and Head of Clinical Governance and Training for the entire Audika Clinical Network across Australia and New Zealand.
Mona’s focus is now on ensuring every client that Audika interacts with is achieving a better quality of life, through a clinically consistent, professional and high-standard of care provided by all clinical team members. This client outcomes focus is the key driver in developing and reimagining the future of modern hearing care at Audika.
