Sensorineural hearing loss is hearing loss caused by damage to sensory nerves in the ear or the nerve that carries auditory information to the brain. It is usually due to age or prolonged exposure to noise.
However, it may also sometimes be present at birth or result from various disorders. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent.
Hearing aids may be helpful in some cases. With profound deafness, a cochlear implant may allow hearing of sounds such as speech