Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss, involving two main issues. The first problem occurs in the inner ear, where tiny hair-like cells get damaged. The second issue involves damage to the auditory nerve. Most cases of this hearing loss are due to inner ear problems. Although there’s no quick fix, using a hearing aid is often a helpful treatment, depending on how severe the hearing loss is.
### Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss can be genetic or acquired during your lifetime. If you have it from birth, it might be inherited or caused by abnormal development in the womb. For example, maternal rubella (German measles) used to be a common cause before vaccines were available.
More often, sensorineural hearing loss happens because of aging or exposure to loud noises. Working around loud machinery or firearms can damage the inner ear and lead to this kind of hearing loss. Rarely, a tumor on the auditory nerve can cause a type of neural hearing loss.
### Common Symptoms
Symptoms can differ depending on whether hearing loss affects one or both ears. Generally, you might start having trouble understanding people as the condition worsens. If one ear is affected, you might struggle to locate specific sounds or have difficulty distinguishing sounds in noisy environments.
High-pitched sounds, like children’s or women’s voices, may become hard to hear. Certain sounds, like “th,” might also be difficult to make out. In some cases, you could experience a constant buzzing in your ears, known as tinnitus.
### Can Hearing Aids Help?
The effectiveness of hearing aids depends on the severity of your hearing loss and whether one or both ears are affected. Hearing aids typically work well for mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears by amplifying sounds to make them easier to hear. If only one ear is affected, a hearing aid can still significantly improve your quality of life.
However, if the inner ear is significantly damaged, even top-notch hearing aids might not be enough. In these cases, cochlear implants might be a better option as they can stimulate the hearing nerve directly, bypassing the damaged inner ear.
It’s crucial to consult a qualified audiologist. They can determine the severity of your hearing loss and recommend the best treatment options for you.