Types of hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss
What causes it
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to damage to the inner ear, specifically the cochlea, but it is also caused by damage to the auditory nerve. The most common causes of SNHL are ageing and noise exposure.
This type of hearing loss is permanent and is not treatable through surgical intervention. That does not mean nothing can be done. Treatment options include hearing aid use, cochlear implants or assistive listening devices, and outcomes are considerably better when treatment begins early rather than after years of delay.
Because sensorineural loss usually develops gradually, the brain acclimatises to it. Most people do not notice it themselves, and it is very common for family members to raise it first.
At a glance
Is it permanent?
Permanent. Not treatable through surgical intervention.
Treatment options
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Assistive listening devices
The first step is always the same
Other types of hearing loss
Hearing loss is rarely just one thing. These are the other types we see and treat.
Conductive hearing loss
Sometimes reversible. Surgical intervention may partially or fully restore hearing in some cases.
Mixed hearing loss
Partly reversible in some cases, depending on the conductive component.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Permanent, but largely preventable through hearing protection.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Usually permanent. Outcomes depend heavily on how quickly treatment starts.
Find out exactly what is going on with your hearing
A free hearing checkup includes a hearing test and a plain-English explanation of the result. No cost, no obligation.