Causes of sensorineural hearing loss
- Aging – Aging is a main cause of all types of hearing loss - and therefore also sensorineural hearing loss
- Noise exposure – Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by loud noise exposure, which can lead to damage in the inner ear
- Genetic or hereditary conditions – Genetic sensorineural hearing loss may affect infants from birth or develop later in life
- Illnesses and conditions – Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by several health conditions including:
meningitis, Ménière's disease, acoustic neuroma, multiple sclerosis, and malformation of the inner ear
- Drugs and medication – Sensorineural hearing loss can be a side-effect of certain medications and cancer treatment
- Head trauma – Injuries to the head can cause damage to the inner ear, which in turn causes sensorineural hearing loss
- Congenital and birth-related hearing loss – Injections during pregnancy, complications during birth, premature birth, and hereditary predispositions can all cause sensorineural hearing loss in newborns
Treatment for sensorineural hearing loss
There is no cure for sensorineural hearing loss, but hearing aids can help people with sensorineural hearing loss to hear better. The best way to diagnose and treat sensorineural hearing loss is to visit a hearing professional for a full hearing evaluation.
Bilateral vs. unilateral sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss can affect one or both ears. Sensorineural hearing loss in one ear is called “unilateral sensorineural hearing loss,” while sensorineural hearing loss in both ears is called “bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.”