Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) refers to the most common type of hearing loss, accounting for 85% of all hearing loss. It is a permanent change that results from changes in the inner ear or along the nerve pathway through the brain.

Since untreated SNHL can lead to permanent changes in hearing, cognition, and central processing ability is is important to manage it early.

What is Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss happens damage occurs to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear or the nerve that carries sound signals to the brain. 15,000 of these delicate hair cells are housed in the inner ear and they change sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can understand as sound.

When these hair cells are damaged, sound signals can’t reach the brain properly, causing hearing loss. Common causes are:

  • Aging
  • Family history of hearing loss
  • Noise exposure – even if years ago
  • Some medications – most often intravenous antibiotics and some opioids.
  • Ear disease such a Menieres disease or autoimmune inner ear disease.

Importance of Seeking Treatment for SNHL and Seeing an Audiologist:

Seeking treatment for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and seeing an audiologist is important for several reasons:

  • Early Intervention:

Finding SNHL early and getting treatment quickly can result in better hearing for a longer period of time. Studies show that people who respond to their hearing loss earlier in the progression, and at a younger age, experience better treatment outcomes that have longer lasting benefits.

Long delayed treatment, on the other hand, usually results in more limited treatment benefit and more continued hearing problem.

Audiologists are experts in hearing problems and deliver a variety of examinations in order to craft the right treatment plan for each individual.

For instance, a 50 year old with noise induced hearing loss has different hearing loss and treatment needs than an 82 year old with age related hearing loss. Then a 29 year old with genetic hearing loss has even different needs.

Our audiologists have experience in knowing exactly how to meet the unique needs of each person in their unique situation.

85% of hearing loss is best treated with the use of hearing aids and other listening technologies to enhance the lost ranges of hearing. This can improve clarity in a variety of situations from home to office to restaurants to worship activities. When other specific needs arise we can recommended other technologies to improve clarity in those specific situations.

Hearing loss does not only affect the person with the hearing loss. Most commonly it creates aggravation for the spouse, family members, and friends. In fact, it is family or friends who first notice your hearing problem and encourage (or even nag) you to finally address your hearing problem.

For this reason it can bring communication problems into marriages and relationships, sometimes very real problems.

We recognize that your hearing loss has these other effects and we work to help your family understand your challenges and perhaps develop more realistic expectations as you work to improve your hearing.

Not treating SNHL can cause problems that extend far beyond a hearing problem. These include:

  • Cognitive decline
  • Isolation
  • Lack of engagement
  • Loneliness
  • Withdraw from activity
  • Paranoia
  • Emotional turmoil and insecurity
  • Anger and aggravation

Most people assume that hearing loss is merely an annoyance, an aggravation to be endured. In reality our hearing is our connection to the people around us, our enjoyments, and also to our mental health and wellbeing.

Managing SNHL sooner helps the person large avoid many of these problems, keeping you engaged, vibrant, and happy.

If you live in North Carolina and want to see an audiologist for sensorineural hearing loss, our team at Carolina Hearing Doctors is ready to help. Our skilled audiologists can provide thorough check-ups and treatment plans.

Symptoms of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) creates a problem with hearing clarity.

Here are some common signs of SNHL:

  • You hear the voice but misunderstand the words.
  • You frequently ask people to repeat what they said.
  • You have more clarity difficulty in busy situations like restaurants and other places with background noise.
  • You feel many people mumble.
  • You understand people more clearly if you can see them.
  • You need to ask others to repeat the details of a speech or presentation you just heard.
  • You play the TV or radio louder than your friends, spouse and relatives.
  • You cannot hear household ringing or beeping sounds like the microwave, doorbell, or telephone.
  • Your ears ring or buzz.

Remember, these symptoms can be different for everyone and can depend on how severe the hearing loss is, how old the person is, and what caused the hearing loss.

If you or someone you know has any of these signs, it’s important to see an audiologist. Early help can make sensorineural hearing loss easier to manage.

Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) happens when there is damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways that connect the ear to the brain.

Some common causes are:

  • Aging (Presbycusis): As people get older, the tiny hair cells in their inner ear can wear out, leading to hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss usually affects both ears and makes it harder to hear high-pitched sounds.
  • Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): Being around loud noises for a long time, like from machines, concerts, or loud music, can harm the hair cells in the inner ear. Using ear protection and avoiding loud noises can help prevent this type of hearing loss.
  • Genetics: Some people are born with genes that make them more likely to have hearing loss. Certain genetic conditions, like Usher syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome, can cause SNHL from birth.
  • Ototoxic Medications: Some medicines, including certain antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, can be harmful to the inner ear or the hearing nerve, leading to hearing loss.
  • Head Trauma: When you hurt your head, it can sometimes hurt the tiny parts inside your ear or the nerve that helps you hear. This can make it hard to hear right away or after some time.
  • Infectious Diseases: Illnesses like measles, mumps, and meningitis can cause swelling or damage in the inner ear, leading to SNHL.
  • Autoimmune Disorders: Sometimes, our body’s immune system gets confused. Instead of protecting us, it attacks our inner ear by mistake. This can make the inner ear swell and get hurt. When this happens, it can cause a type of hearing loss called sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

These are some main causes of sensorineural hearing loss. If someone is experiencing hearing loss, it’s important to visit an audiologist to find out the cause and get the right treatment.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Treatment

The most effective way to treat sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) depends on a variety of factors, including:

  1. the degree of hearing loss
  2. the contour or slope of hearing loss
  3. the cause(s) of the hearing loss
  4. your age, and length of time the hearing loss has been present, and
  5. the individual and particular needs of the person.

Even though SNHL is usually permanent, there are different ways to help people hear and live better.

Here are some common treatments for SNHL:

1. Hearing Aids:

Hearing aids are the most common and helpful treatment for SNHL.

For instance, a 52 year old with noise induced hearing loss that causes hearing loss limited to the high frequencies has a very different need than a 78 year old with age related hearing decline that has been present for 6-8 years and spans all frequencies. And even more unique is the 32 year old who has hearing loss from family genetic hearing loss. Each is unique with unique needs and even an more unique solution. While all may benefit from the use of hearing aids, the specific devices and programming that each need will be very different.

A cochlear implant is a device that can be used to improve hearing in people who no longer benefit from hearing aids. This is reserved for those with hearing loss in the severe to profound range.

Unlike hearing aids, that stimulate the hearing structures acoustically, cochlear implants use electronic stimulation to directly the nervous structures of the inner ear.

Cochlear implants require a surgical procedure to implant an internal device into the inner ear and an external device that is worn like a hearing aid. This external device picks up sound from the environment and delivers it to the inner ear internal device. While it doesn’t deliver the same type of sound that they once had, the brain can adapt to this new electronic hearing and often regain a sense of sound clarity not heard in years.

Cochlear implants are the first device that successfully replaced one of the five lost senses.

Devices like FM systems, loop systems, and phones with captions help people with SNHL communicate better in certain situations, like during conversations, lectures, or phone calls.

Hearing improvement with hearing aids and other technology often gives the hearing improvement that people are needing. However, some people find that hearing aids aren’t enough. They may benefit from attention to build better skills for listening, auditory attention, and sound perception. Our audiologists offer guidance and variety of options for listening training.

While sensorineural is the most common type of hearing loss, unfortunately it is not treatable with medication. There are some inner ear disease, such as Ménière’s disease or autoimmune inner ear disease, that is treatable with medication. With that treatment it may also stabilize or improve the hearing.

In your hearing evaluation we can help determine if this is your situation.

Untreated hearing loss, particularly in our seniors, can result in a variety of isolation symptoms. There is a higher incidence of sadness, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and insecurity. Often when the hearing improves these behaviors improve but it is something that we monitor through the hearing aid fitting process.

Hearing loss also effects the spouse and family who interact with them. If left untreated this can create communication problems within a family that can result in frustration, anger, and conflict. We have seen where these relations improve with hearing improvement.

 

We work with individuals and families when more professional counseling may be needed.

Carolina Hearing Doctors: Sensorineural Hearing Loss Evaluation and Treatment in North Carolina

If you are dealing with sensorineural hearing loss, Carolina Hearing Doctors is here for you.

Our skilled audiologists in North Carolina are experts at helping people improve their hearing and enjoy life more.

We will work with you to find the best solutions for your needs. We also offer hearing tests in North Carolina.

Reach out to us today to set up an appointment!

You can visit our audiology clinics in Winston-Salem and Clemmons, NC.