What is sensorineural hearing loss?
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Summary: This hearing loss is a form of permanent hearing impairment that occurs when either part of the inner ear (cochlea) or part of the auditory nerve has been injured. It is the most frequently diagnosed type of hearing impairment and affects individuals across all age groups.
Key takeaway: In this blog today, you will be learning all about what sensorineural is. How does it increase, and in what way can it? Which type of hearing aids can be better for sensorineural hearing loss, and what are their benefits? How this problem develops, and in which manner you can make this work.
Introduction: As a result of having trouble hearing, most will experience muffled sounds and disturbances in understanding speech, particularly in noisy environments. Due to how the damage is affecting how sound signals get to the brain, there are very few medical options available to treat sensorineural hearing loss; therefore, hearing aids would be the best solution.
What causes sensorineural hearing loss?
This results from the damage to the inner ear’s hair cells, cochlea, or auditory nerve. Common causes for this are natural ageing (presbycusis), acute noise exposure, head injuries, and infections. It is most probably permanent and, in many cases, is treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants. Major causes of sensorineural hearing loss:
Age-related deterioration: a common loss of hearing because of the wear and tear of the inner ear structure over time.
Noise exposure: damage caused by high, prolonged, chronic noise, for example, machinery, music, or explosions.
Head trauma: injuries that are probably created by trauma to the cochlea or the vestibulocochlear nerve.
infections & disease: Viral infections and some kinds of measles or meningitis can affect the inner ear.
toxic medications: Certain types of drugs and specific antibiotics can cause damage to the inner ear.
genetic factors and congenital conditions: hereditary factors or issues during fetal development.
Can sensorineural hearing loss be treated?
By providing amplification, modern hearing aids improve the clarity of speech and provide an individualised hearing aid to match the user’s unique configuration of hearing loss. Modern hearing aids for sensorineural hearing loss have digital technology that intelligently processes sound, which allows for a superior experience compared to a simple amplified sound device.
A properly fitted sensorineural (hearing) aid will reduce background noise, enhance speech frequencies, and allow you to have easier and more normal day-to-day conversations.
How do hearing aids help sensorineural hearing loss?
Hearing aids work to assist with amplifying sound and to provide improved speech clarity according to the user’s specific hearing loss pattern. While conventional acoustic amplifiers simply boost existing sounds, modern digital hearing aids use sophisticated technology to intelligently process sounds.
By correctly fitting the best type of hearing aid for sensorineural hearing loss through your audiologist, the hearing (sensorineural) portion of hearing loss will have less background noise, have more emphasis on the speech frequencies, and will help make your everyday conversations sound clearer and more natural.
What types of hearing aids are available for sensorineural hearing loss?
There are many types of hearing aids that are available to handle sensorineural hearing loss. Each of the styles offers a different type of benefit depending on the user’s needs, style, and preferences. Choosing the right device is important for getting the best hearing outcomes.
BTE Hearing Aids: BTE hearing aids are designed to sit behind the ear by resting against the back of the ear and fitting into the ear through a custom-made ear mold. BTE hearing aids have the greatest amplification capabilities; therefore, they can provide amplification for all types of hearing loss, especially for those who experience a severe level of hearing loss.
RIC/RIE Hearing Aids: RIC/RIE hearing aids are similar to the BTE models, except that the receiver/speaker sits inside the ear canal. This allows the person using these devices to have a smaller device placed behind their ear compared to BTEs, and it will produce sound more naturally.
ITE/ITC Hearing Aids: ITE/ITC hearing aids are custom-moulded devices that are made to fit either partially or completely inside the ear canal. These are most effective for individuals with mild to moderate Hearing aids for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
IIC/CIC Hearing Aids: IIC/CIC hearing aids are small, custom-made devices that fit deep in the ear canal and provide the wearer with full amplification capabilities.
What Is Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss occurs when each of your ears is affected. This is probably so common, especially in age-related or any noise-induced hearing loss. People who go through the bilateral loss most of the time struggle with sound localisation and understanding speech in noisy areas, which can probably impact their daily life.
Why Are Hearing Aids Recommended for Both Ears?
Wearing hearing aids in both ears for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss provides a balanced and natural listening experience. Using two aids helps people understand speech better in noisy environments and also allows their brains to process sound more easily. Furthermore, two hearing aids reduce fatigue when auditory processing occurs and assist in identifying the location of various sources of sound.
Conclusion
This type of hearing loss occurs when either the auditory nerve is damaged or the inner ear (cochlea), where sound signals are transmitted to the brain, has also sustained some sort of damage. There are many types of hearing aids that are available to handle sensorineural hearing loss. Each of the styles offers a different type of benefit depending on the user’s needs, style, and preferences. Choosing the right device is important for getting the best hearing outcomes.
The most prevalent type of prolonged hearing deficit, it can affect either or both ears. Wearing hearing aids in both ears for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss provides a balanced and natural listening experience. Using two aids helps people understand speech better in noisy environments and also allows their brains to process sound more easily.
FAQ
Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
This type of hearing loss occurs when either the auditory nerve is damaged or the inner ear (cochlea), where sound signals are transmitted to the brain, has also sustained some sort of damage. The most prevalent type of prolonged hearing deficit, it can affect either or both ears.
Is Sensorineural Hearing Loss Permanent?
Most frequently, sensorineural hearing loss produces a condition that cannot be cured because there has been damage to the sensory cells in your inner ear that cannot repair themselves post-injury. However, the use of hearing aids, etc., may allow significant improvement in the quality and amount of hearing and communication among those individuals suffering from this ailment.
Can Hearing Aids Alone Be Used as Treatment for People Suffering From SNHL?
Yes! Hearing aid devices are by far the best and most efficacious way to treat children or adults experiencing an SNHL. Hearing aids will amplify sound awareness, boost clarity (in speech), and try to remove unwanted background noise (thus providing clearer and more realistic/normal conversations daily).
How long does it take someone with SNHL to get used to the use of hearing aids?
Simply put, most individuals will need at least several weeks to months before fully acclimating to using these devices. Your brain will have to relearn how to hear; regularly seeing an audiologist will help adjust the hearing aids for optimal comfort and quality of sound.
Can children with sensorineural hearing loss wear hearing aids?
Definitely. Children, both congenital and those with early-onset sensorineural hearing loss, will often be prescribed hearing aids to help them develop speech, language, and cognitive skills.
