Sensorineural hearing loss is a permanent hearing loss caused by problems in the inner ear, vestibulocochlear nerve, or brain. It can be caused by various factors, including infections, birth defects, and trauma. Treatment involves hearing aids or cochlear implants. Cochlear implants consist of a microphone, speech processor, transmitter, stimulator, and receiver, and require speech therapy and close work with audiologists and speech pathologists. Prognosis depends on the success of surgery and how long the individual was deaf or hard of hearing before the surgery.
Sensorineural hearing loss is a form of permanent hearing loss that originates from problems in the inner ear, the vestibulocochlear nerve, or the brain. There are several conditions that can contribute to the development of this progressive and irreversible form of hearing loss. Treatment for sensorineural hearing loss involves the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Also known as nerve deafness, sensorineural hearing loss can occur due to a variety of factors that negatively affect the proper functioning of the ear. In some cases, hearing may be permanently lost due to problems within the inner ear itself, such as a birth defect, birth injury, or infection. Sensorineural hearing loss can also result from damage to the vestibulocochlear nerve or from impaired sensory processing within the brain.
Nerve deafness is generally considered an idiopathic condition, meaning that there is no single, identifiable cause for its development. Despite the absence of a single cause, there are several suspected factors that may contribute to the progression of hearing loss. Individuals who contract a viral infection, such as rubella or herpes simplex, can develop complications that lead to the development of nerve deafness. Other conditions that can contribute to irreversible hearing loss include leukemia, scarlet fever, and autoimmune diseases, such as lupus. Individuals who experience trauma to the inner ear or vestibulocochlear nerve, such as injuries resulting from a skull fracture or perforated eardrum, may be diagnosed with nerve deafness.
The symptoms associated with sensorineural hearing loss depend on the age of the individual and the extent of the hearing loss at the time of diagnosis. Infants with hearing loss may have behavioral signs such as a lack of response to auditory stimuli or an absence of vocalization. Children with nervous deafness may not be able to hear high-pitched sounds or the sounds made by certain letters, such as “S” or “Z.” Additional signs of sensorineural hearing loss include dizziness and a persistent ringing or ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
A diagnosis of nerve deafness can be confirmed with a complete history and examination of the ear. In some cases, imaging tests of the head, including a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done. Hearing tests may also be administered to better assess the degree of hearing loss.
Treatment for sensorineural hearing loss may involve wearing a hearing aid that just fits inside the ear. Most hearing aids, also known as hearing aids, are designed to be nearly aesthetically invisible. The device has a small microphone used to amplify sounds and transmit them to the ear. A hearing aid can be controlled independently of the volume to best suit the individual’s purpose and needs.
Cochlear implants are a replacement for hearing and are not considered a cure for hearing loss. As an aid to both hearing and speech, the implant allows the hearing-impaired individual a representation of sounds in her environment. Unlike a hearing aid, a cochlear implant works by stimulating the auditory nerve.
Complex in its composition, a cochlear implant is made up of a microphone, a speech processor, a transmitter, a stimulator and a receiver. The inner portions of the implant consist of the stimulator and receiver, which are placed inside the cochlea and just under the skin behind the ear. The exterior of the device consists of a speech processor, microphone, and transmitter, and sits behind the ear directly over the implanted receiver.
After surgery, the individual may begin speech therapy and work closely with an audiologist and speech pathologist. The prognosis associated with a cochlear implant depends on several factors, including the success of the surgery and how long the individual was deaf or hard of hearing before the surgery. Learning to interpret the sounds you hear and being able to process that information are essential to getting the most benefit from your implant.
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