Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be caused in many different ways. Sometimes small bones in the middle ear that play an important role in hearing are damaged. Sometimes the parts of the brain that process sound are hurt by infection or injury. In the majority of cases, hearing loss is caused by damage to the nerves in the inner ear. This is called sensorineural hearing loss, and many people experience it as they age.

Sensorineural hearing loss is often associated with presbycusis, a gradual loss of hearing that can accompany advanced age. If you or a loved one has been experiencing reduced hearing capacity over time, the good news is that help is available. Call an experienced hearing aid consultant at HearingPlanet by dialing 1-800-432-7669.

Hearing and the Inner Ear

When sound waves enter your ear canal, they pass through three parts of the ear:

• The outer ear, the canal's opening
• The middle ear, where small bones vibrate in response to sound waves
• The inner hear, where these vibrations are converted to electrical signals that your brain processes as sound

This conversion takes place primarily in the cochlea, a small snail-shaped organ deep within your ear. The curving paths of the cochlea are filled with fluid and lined with very fine hair cells. As the bones of the middle ear cause the fluid within the cochlea to vibrate, these cells translate the vibrations into electrochemical information that is sent to the brain.

Sensorineural hearing loss is usually associated with damage to these hair cells. This damage can be caused by genetic abnormalities, infection, or exposure to very loud noises. Sometimes it is idiopathic, meaning doctors are not sure what causes it.

Unfortunately, sensorineural hearing loss is not curable. Damage to the hair cells of the cochlea is generally permanent. The good news is that the symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss can be effectively treated with the use of a high quality hearing aid.

Contact Us

HearingPlanet's mission is to help people with hearing loss find the solutions they need. To speak with one of our hearing aids experts, contact us at 1-800-432-7669.