What is the primary cause of sensorineural hearing loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss primarily results from genetic factors or environmental damage affecting the inner ear's delicate structures. This type of hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the hair cells in the cochlea or to the auditory nerve pathways that carry sound signals to the brain. Genetic predispositions can lead to conditions that compromise these structures, while environmental factors such as infections, ototoxic medications, and noise trauma can also contribute significantly to this type of hearing impairment.

While aging does play a role in hearing loss, it is often a combination of age-related changes and other factors that can lead to sensorineural loss. Obstruction in the outer ear, such as earwax buildup, leads to conductive hearing loss rather than sensorineural loss, which is specifically related to damage within the inner ear or auditory pathways. Excessive noise exposure is a significant risk factor for developing sensorineural hearing loss, but it is one of many environmental influences rather than the primary cause itself. Thus, genetic or environmental damage to the inner ear is recognized as the primary cause of this condition.