A to Z: Hearing Loss, Sensorineuralenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/P-khAZDictionary-enHD-AR1.jpgLearn about causes of hearing loss and conditions that can affect the inner ear and auditory nerve.Sensorineural hearing loss, SNHL, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, SSNHL, sudden hearing loss, sudden deafness, nerve deafness, ears, inner ear, cochlea, auditory nerve, cochlear nerve, hearing aids, cochlear implants, sign language, lip reading, noise exposure10/16/201304/04/201909/02/2019db697fa2-d0cf-4a94-8146-e02e3825c976https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-hearing-sensorineural.html/<p><em>May also be called: SNHL; Nerve Deafness</em></p>
<p>Sensorineural (sen-suh-ree-NOOR-ul) <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/hear.html/">hearing</a> loss is hearing loss that involves malformation, dysfunction, or damage to the inner <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/ears.html/">ear</a>.</p>
<h3>More to Know</h3>
<p>The inner ear consists of two tiny organs called the cochlea and the semicircular canals. The snail-shaped cochlea acts as a sort of microphone, converting vibrations from the middle ear into <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/brain-nervous-system.html/">nerve</a> impulses that travel to the brain along the cochlear nerve, also known as the auditory nerve. Disorders of the cochlea or the auditory nerve can cause hearing loss that can be permanent. Disorders of the cochlea often are present at birth, but they also can be caused by infections, injuries, tumors, certain drugs, and overexposure to loud noises.</p>
<p>The degree of sensorineural hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Sometimes the loss is progressive (becomes worse over time) and sometimes unilateral (affects one ear only). Symptoms also may include dizziness and ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus).</p>
<p>Treatment for sensorineural hearing loss can involve hearing aids or cochlear implants. In some cases, people with severe sensorineural hearing loss can benefit from learning skills like sign language and lip reading.</p>
<h3>Keep in Mind</h3>
<p>Not every case of sensorineural hearing loss is permanent. Some people may eventually regain much of their hearing. For those who don't, hearing aids, treatment, speech and language therapy, and educational programs can allow them to lead normal and productive lives.</p>
<p><em>All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.</em></p>A to Z: Hearing Loss, ConductiveLearn about causes of hearing loss and conditions that can affect the outer ear and middle ear.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-hearing-conductive.html/4e12bb74-3190-4146-ac05-0c550d5baf25A to Z: Hearing Loss, MixedLearn about causes of hearing loss and conditions that can affect the ear and auditory nerve.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-hearing-mixed.html/2f14fd0f-7ad1-40f7-b4ea-62ee502e8074A to Z: Hearing Loss, NeuralLearn about causes of hearing loss and conditions that can affect the auditory nerve.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-hearing-neural.html/4bc633ba-829e-44dd-89ac-fc8ac127e143Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)Some kids have hearing loss due to auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), a problem in the transmission of sound from the inner ear to the brain.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/ansd.html/4072a0d0-3b8d-4732-bcac-9bcc561f409bCan Loud Music Hurt My Ears?Loud music can cause temporary and permanent hearing loss. Learn how to protect your ears so you won't be saying, "Huh? What did you say?"https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/rock-music.html/4f1d6c6d-b485-4f3c-8755-268031bd53b3Cochlear ImplantsCochlear implant can help many kids with severe hearing loss. Find out how they work and who can get them.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/cochlear.html/6531199f-f9a3-4dac-8918-c35c9ccdb9a0EarbudsEarbuds are basically a tiny pair of speakers that go inside the ears. They're fine at low volumes, but they can cause permanent hearing loss if not used properly. Find out what's safe (and not) in this article for teens.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/earbuds.html/4a49d64c-29fe-4aa2-b7da-780d6c8ba685EarsHearing is their main job, but it's not all your ears do. Find out all about them in this body basics article for teens.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/ears.html/0e069e5b-afbe-4a02-91fb-cf89eac5a427Going to the AudiologistWhen a kid has trouble hearing, an audiologist can help. That's a person specially trained to understand how hearing works and to help kids who don't hear normally.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/hearing-test.html/1183d59f-cba5-4863-a333-e4aa73e6d828Hearing AidsWant to hear what's being said to you, by you, and about you? Find out how hearing aids help people with certain types of hearing loss.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/hearing-aids.html/4d02d0e0-6657-4f93-9dd5-62447c4a7847Hearing Evaluation in ChildrenHearing problems can be overcome if they're caught early, so it's important to get your child's hearing screened early and checked regularly.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/hear.html/f867639c-fb49-46cc-a897-8386816dad97Hearing ImpairmentHearing impairment occurs when there's a problem with or damage to one or more parts of the ear. Find out its causes and what can be done to help correct it.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/hearing-impairment.html/66d2cedf-4bea-4da5-b6f2-62fd222fd246How the Ears Work (Video)The ears gather sounds from our environment and turn them into messages for the brain to decode. Learn more in this video about the ears. https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/ears-video.html/7c3d7a77-13d5-4f22-82b4-59abb8cbe688Ototoxicity (Ear Poisoning)Ototoxicity is when a person develops hearing or balance problems. Learn about this side effect of taking certain medicines.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/ototoxicity.html/a495c00c-5970-4639-84ac-11dd44f374b6Speech-Language TherapyWorking with a certified speech-language pathologist can help a child with speech or language difficulties.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/speech-therapy.html/9bcaa854-6c27-4d01-80c3-176d24a1ac3eWhat's Hearing Loss?Hearing loss happens when there is a problem with the ear, nerves connected to the ear, or the part of the brain that controls hearing. Someone who has hearing loss may be able to hear some sounds or nothing at all. To learn more, read this article for kids.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/hearing-impairment.html/9a3276cb-c032-4e30-8c12-a349f4d911f7Your EarsNow hear this! Here's an article about ears. Find out how your amazing ears do their amazing job.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/ears.html/0f4e16f5-a934-4961-a1b7-12e8f53619f4kh:age-allAgesOrAgeAgnostickh:clinicalDesignation-otolaryngologyEarNoseThroatkh:genre-dictionarykh:primaryClinicalDesignation-otolaryngologyEarNoseThroatHhttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dictionary/h/c2d4f543-6c0d-4809-85ed-87a4ce512e91