Sensorineural
Hearing Loss

The Most Common Type of Hearing Loss

What is Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve pathways that send sound to the brain. Unlike conductive hearing loss, which blocks sound from entering the inner ear, sensorineural loss changes how sound is processed once it gets inside.

This is the most common form of permanent hearing loss — accounting for roughly 90% of adult cases.

Common Causes

SNHL can happen suddenly or progress gradually. The most common causes include:

​

• Aging (presbycusis): Natural changes to the cochlea and auditory nerve over time

• Noise exposure: Loud music, machinery, firearms, or sudden blasts

• Genetics: Family history of hearing loss can increase risk

• Ototoxic medications: Certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, or high-dose aspirin

• Head trauma: Injuries that damage the inner ear or nerve pathways

• Diseases: Such as Ménière’s disease, viral infections, or autoimmune conditions

Symptoms of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Because clarity is affected, not just loudness, people with SNHL often describe:

​

• Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy settings

• Feeling like people “mumble” even when they speak clearly

• Needing repetition often in conversation

• Trouble hearing higher-pitched sounds (birds chirping, women’s and children’s voices, consonants like s, f, th)

• Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ears) accompanying the hearing loss

Diagnosis

SNHL is diagnosed through a hearing test (audiogram), which compares:

​

• Air conduction thresholds (overall hearing ability)

• Bone conduction thresholds (inner ear function)

​

When both air and bone conduction results show similar loss, it points to a sensorineural origin. Additional tests, such as speech-in-noise scores, may be used to measure clarity.

Treatment Options

While sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent, there are highly effective treatment solutions:

​

• Hearing Aids: Modern devices restore clarity, reduce background noise, and amplify only what you need.

• Assistive Listening Devices: Wireless accessories for TV, phone, or group conversations.

• Cochlear Implants: For cases of profound loss where hearing aids are no longer effective.

• Tinnitus Management Tools: Many hearing aids also help reduce the impact of ringing in the ears.

Why It Matters

Untreated SNHL doesn’t just make listening harder — it forces the brain to work overtime, leading to fatigue, frustration, and even cognitive decline. The earlier it’s addressed, the better the results for both hearing and long-term brain health.