Sensorineural Hearing Loss

 While SNHL isn’t considered a life-threatening disease, if not properly managed, you may experience a great reduction in your ability to communicate effectively. 

If you have sensorineural hearing loss, it’s important to get a hearing aid. But not all hearing aids are the same. Some are designed for severe hearing loss while some hearing aids are made for mild to moderate hearing loss. You need one that will work for your type of SNHL and fit comfortably in your ear canal.

Buying standard, over-the-counter hearing aids from drugstores or other retailers without getting expert advice first may just waste your time and money. You may struggle with the devices and end up being unhappy about how they sound and feel.

Audiologists can help you find the right kind of device for your needs. Hearing healthcare professionals can also make sure it fits well and works properly.

Common Causes

When exposed to loud noises, the structures in your inner ear can be damaged. This may lead to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). It is a form of hearing loss that affects more than 90%  of adults and has many causes such as genetic factors or natural aging processes.

Viral infections, including measles and meningitis can cause sensorineural hearing loss. Head or acoustic trauma such as a blow to the head or exposure to extremely loud noise like an explosion can also damage your inner ear which triggers sensorineural hearing loss.

SNHL and Aging

Hearing loss is a natural part of aging, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating or make you feel old.

There are many types and degrees of hearing loss that can range from mild to severe with the degree depending on how much damage your ears have endured over time.

While SNHL isn’t considered a life-threatening disease, if not properly managed, you may experience a great reduction in your ability to communicate effectively.

Types of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss – This is a hearing loss that is present in both ears, and is typically an equal amount of hearing loss in each ear. Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss, as typically your ears have been exposed to all of the same sounds and genetic factors throughout your life. Most typically bilateral sensorineural hearing loss may be seen as part of typical aging, genetic hearing losses, noise induced hearing losses, or medication induced hearing losses.

Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss  – This is a hearing loss that is present in only one ear; the non-affected ear will present with normal hearing. If the hearing loss in the affected ear is severe this condition can sometimes be referred to as single-sided-deafness. Individuals with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss may have difficulty telling where sounds are coming from, as everything sounds louder in their normal hearing ear. Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss can be caused from unilateral loud noise exposure (such as an explosion) or injury to the head or ear. It can also be caused by conditions such as a sudden hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, or a (typically benign) tumor compressing the nerve of hearing often called an acoustic or vestibular schwannoma.

Asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss – This hearing loss, like bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, is a hearing loss that is present in both ears.  However, asymmetrical hearing loss means that the hearing loss is worse in one ear than the other.  Individuals with asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss may have difficulty telling where sounds are coming from, as everything sounds louder in their better hearing ear.  Asymmetrical hearing losses can occasionally occur naturally as part of the aging process.  Additional causes may include loud noise exposure on one side of the head or injury on one side of the head, Meniere’s disease, middle ear dysfunction, or a (typically benign) tumor compressing the nerve of hearing often called an acoustic or vestibular schwannoma.

How does sensorineural hearing loss affect hearing?

Inner ear damage can be a debilitating condition that prevents patients from hearing the simplest of noises.  Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which happens when your inner ears are damaged or when there’s some sort of interference with nerve pathways to your brain makes it hard to hear a variety of sounds around you.

If this seems like something you’re experiencing, seek the help of hearing healthcare professionals.  If you happen to be in Massachusetts, Atlantic Hearing Care is here to help you with your hearing problems.

Many people are uncertain of what type of hearing loss they have, especially when there’s so many different types. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common form of hearing loss.

Can sensorineural hearing loss be corrected?

Hearing loss can be a life-altering event that drastically changes the way we adapt to our surroundings. Unfortunately, this type of hearing impairment is permanent and irreversible.

The best course of action in treating sensorineural hearing loss is a well fit pair of hearing aids. While hearing aids do not correct the natural hearing of an individual permanently, while they are in the ears they help the individual to detect and understands sounds they would otherwise have impaired access to because of their hearing loss.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Treatment, Massachusetts

Hearing loss can be a damaging condition that alters the quality of life for many people. However, there are methods to help improve both speech and other sounds so that people with hearing loss can still enjoy their lives to the fullest. If you feel as if your hearing may not be as good as it used to be, take the initiative to contact an audiologist right away. Properly diagnosing the problem can help in facilitating accurate and effective treatments.   Audiologists at Atlantic Hearing Care are experts in determining the types of hearing loss and choosing the best treatments for recovery.