Much of your hearing is controlled by tiny nerve endings in your inner ear. Unfortunately, these nerve endings can be damaged, as can other components in your inner ear, resulting in a condition known as sensorineural hearing loss.
Typically, sensorineural deafness does not result in a complete inability to hear. The hearing loss is frequently limited to particular sounds and frequencies. Some sounds may seem too loud, while others can seem a lot less distinct. Recognizing speech patterns becomes particularly difficult, in particular when listening in a noisy location. The individual may have difficulty when attempting to follow a conversation with more than one person speaking and may notice that women’s voices are harder to understand than men’s voices. Difficulties in hearing aren’t the only symptom of sensorineural hearing loss: tinnitus and dizziness can also occur.
There are many different causes of sensorineural deafness. Sometimes this form of deafness is present since birth. Congenital sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by genetic syndromes, as well as by infections that can pass from mother to infant..
Sensorineural hearing loss that starts later life can have many numerous underlying causes. One such cause is acoustic trauma, or contact with an excessively loud noise. Similarly, long term exposure to loud noise (often experienced by construction workers and musicians) can cause inner ear damage.
Sensorineural hearing loss can come on suddenly, such as in the case of viral infections. These infections include measles, mumps and meningitis. Fluctuating hearing loss that comes and goes combined with vertigo and tinnitus can be a sign of Meniere’s Disease. Corticosteroids may prove helpful in these two cases.
Abrupt changes in air pressure and head trauma can cause sensorineural hearing loss, as can other physical issues such as tumors. Otosclerosis, a hereditary disorder in which a bony growth in the middle ear disrupts hearing, is another physical cause of sensorineural hearing loss.
Without treatment sensorineural hearing loss often diminishes quality of life. Luckily it can be improved or reversed in many cases.