What is sensorineural hearing loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss, or SNHL, occurs when the inner ear is damaged. It may occur suddenly due to an illness, injury, or exposure to a loud noise, such as an explosion. SNHL may also occur over time as a part of growing older; sometimes, people are born with it.

SNHL significantly impacts your ability to hear. Even strong noises may feel muffled, and you might not be able to hear delicate sounds. This is due to damage to hair cells, which are small receptors in the inner ear. Sound waves are transformed into signals that your brain perceives as sound by these hair cells.

Unfortunately, these cells cannot fix themselves, so SNHL is a lifetime condition for most. However, hearing aids or other hearing aids can make a tremendous difference in one's hearing and lifestyle.

What are the types of sensorineural hearing loss?

There are several types of sensorineural hearing loss:

Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss occurs in just one ear.
Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss occurs in both ears.
Asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss occurs in both ears, but hearing loss is greater in one ear.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a medical condition that occurs within 72 hours of an injury, illness or loud noise exposure (such as fireworks or gunshot).

What are the signs and symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss?

You may observe the following if you have sensorineural hearing loss:

Compared to high-pitched tones, deep voices are easier to hear.
It is more difficult to hear in noisy settings.
It sounds like other people are mumbling.
Your eardrums are ringing.
You find it difficult to follow discussions with several people
You can't hear well.

What causes sensorineural hearing loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs as a result of injury to your inner ear. More specifically, it occurs when the small hair cells within your cochlea or vestibulocochlear nerve are damaged or destroyed.

Some people are born with SNHL because of a lack of oxygen or other complications during fetal development. Others develop it later in life due to illnesses, trauma, exposure to loud noises or typical ageing.

What are the risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss?

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of developing a certain condition. Diseases and conditions that raise your risk for SNHL include:

Acoustic neuroma: This is a noncancerous tumor that affects your inner ear.
Aging: Just growing older increases your risk for hearing loss, since the minute hair cells within your inner ear grow old and wear out over time.
Ménière's disease: This is a chronic disorder of the ear that produces symptoms such as vertigo and tinnitus (ringing in your ears).
Ototoxicity: This is inner ear damage due to taking certain medications.
Systemic illnesses: Certain illnesses, such as diabetes and meningitis, may interfere with the blood supply to the inner ear or inflame the vestibulocochlear nerve.
Traumatic brain injury: Trauma to the brain may result in fractures, disruption of blood flow and elevated intercranial pressure — all of which may result in SNHL.

In other cases, doctors can't determine a specific cause. When this occurs, they refer to it as idiopathic SNHL.

How is sensorineural hearing loss diagnosed?

A physical examination will be the first step taken by a medical practitioner, usually an otolaryngologist. They will examine the outside of your ear with great care. They will then use an otoscope, a lit device, to see inside your ear. This enables them to identify any anomalies that might be impairing your hearing.

Additionally, your doctor may inquire about the following:

Did you lose your hearing suddenly or over time?
If it was over time, when did it begin?
Do you find that you hear better through one ear?
Have you experienced any illnesses or injuries recently?
Is there a history of hearing loss in your family?

What will be tested to diagnose this condition?

An audiologist will perform some hearing tests to see if you have SNHL. These may include:

Acoustic reflex test, which evaluates how tightly your stapedial muscle (a tiny muscle in your middle ear) closes in response to very loud sounds.
Auditory brainstem response detects your brain waves with electrodes based on what you're hearing.
Bone conduction test, which sounds directly into your inner ear and assists in knowing which kind of hearing loss you have.
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), which measures vibration from your inner ear in connection with sound and can indicate whether you have blockage or hearing loss
Pure-tone audiometry, which detects the softest sounds you can hear at various frequencies (pitches).
Speech audiometry, which tests how well you understand words and records the softest speech you can repeat.
Tuning fork tests, such as Weber's test and the Rinne test, can tell if you have sensorineural or conductive hearing loss (and can be performed by your otolaryngologist).
Tympanometry, which informs your doctor about how well your eardrum vibrates in response to sounds.

Your doctor might also have to check your cranial nerves or perform imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan.

How is sensorineural hearing loss treated?

Treatment for sensorineural hearing loss includes:

Hearing aids: Similar to tiny speakers, these sound-amplifying gadgets make it easier to hear.
Cochlear implants: These surgically implanted devices bypass your inner ear and establish a new route for sounds to travel to your brain.
Medications: If disease or inflammation leads to SNHL, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids.
Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA): These implanted medical devices rely on vibrations to transmit sound to your inner ear. BAHA may be beneficial if you have single-sided (unilateral) sensorineural hearing loss.
Active surveillance: Your doctor may advise "watchful waiting." This is particularly so if you have mild sensorineural hearing loss.

Can sensorineural hearing loss be prevented?

You can't always avoid SNHL because many causes are beyond your control. But there are some things you can do to lower your risk:

Talk to your doctor about any side effects of medication.
Have your hearing checkup regularly.
Use ear protection (such as earplugs or earmuffs) in loud situations. Noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable.

What is the prognosis for sensorineural hearing loss?

The general outlook is based on the cause and extent of hearing loss. SNHL is usually permanent. However, hearing aids or cochlear implants can enhance your hearing capabilities and prevent you from missing out on what is going on around you.

If you experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss, get medical attention immediately. Early treatment can improve results.

When should I see my doctor?

You should inform your doctor if you:

Experience vertigo or other balance problems.
Struggle to hear in noisy places or when more than one person is talking.
Experience ringing in your ears.
Have to turn up the volume repeatedly.
Perceive a change in your hearing.

What do I ask my doctor?

If you have SNHL, you may want to ask your healthcare provider the following questions:

What causes to my hearing loss?
Could there be a possibility that my hearing will get better by itself?
What are the treatment options for me?
What type of results can I hope for from the treatment?
How frequently will I have to return for follow-up appointments?

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for sensorineural hearing loss treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm is the best hospital for Sensorineural Hearing Loss Treatment in Lucknow, India. We have experienced team of ENT specialists and audiologists. We provide advanced diagnostics, personalized hearing rehabilitation plans, and cutting-edge solutions like hearing aids and cochlear implants for patients with inner ear or nerve-related hearing loss.