About Nerve Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss or nerve hearing loss occurs when the inner ear, or the pathways from the inner ear to the brain, have been damaged. The most common type of permanent hearing loss, it cannot be medically or surgically corrected as conductive hearing loss often is.
Nerve hearing loss is often associated with aging, but may also result from head trauma, a virus or disease, hereditary reasons, malformation of the inner ear, or otosclerosis, a disorder where bony growth forms in the middle ear, causing it to not vibrant when stimulated by sound waves.
Some nerve hearing loss can be accommodated for with the use of hearing instruments. Other cases may be treatable with corticosteroids to reduce swelling and inflammation in the inner ear, surgery for cases of sensorineural hearing loss from a tumor or trauma or other medical treatments.
If you suspect nerve hearing loss, it’s important to be evaluated by an ENT specialist and to not assume it’s just a natural part of aging. A proper diagnosis is the key to preserving your hearing. Contact National Sinus Institute to schedule an appointment and evaluation for symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss.
