Diseases of the cochlea result in sensory hearing loss, a condition that is usually irreversible
Most cochlear diseases result in bilateral symmetric hearing loss
The presence of unilateral or asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss suggests a lesion proximal to the cochlea
Lesions affecting the eighth cranial nerve and central auditory system are discussed in the section on neural hearing loss
The primary goals in the management of sensory hearing loss are prevention of further losses and functional improvement with amplification and auditory rehabilitation