Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss begins as the delicate hairs in the inner ear start to break down. Usually this is a part of the natural aging process, but it can also be caused by long-term exposure to loud sounds. Sensorineural hearing loss is almost always permanent and will typically continue to worsen over time.

Presbycusis, a type of sensorineural hearing loss, is caused by the natural aging process. Noise-induced hearing loss is also a sensorineural hearing loss caused by a one-time exposure to extremely loud sounds or by exposure to high decibel sounds over a long period of time. Conductive hearing loss is caused when physical damage to the ear prevents outside sound from reaching the nerves in the inner ear. This is usually due to a buildup of wax or fluid in the ear, punctured eardrums, or an injury to the tiny bones inside the ear. Conductive hearing loss may be temporary or chronic, but can often be treated with medicine or surgery. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing losses. Although it may still be possible to treat the conductive part of this hearing loss, the sensorineural part will typically be permanent.

Tinnitus is not a type of hearing loss, but it could be a symptom of hearing loss. It is often described as "head noise" such as ringing, buzzing, roaring, whooshing, chirping, beating, and/or humming noises. Nearly 36 million Americans experience some symptom of tinnitus. For more information on tinnitus, click on the link below.
American Tinnitus Association--www.ata.org.