Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is permanent hearing loss that happens when the inner ear is damaged or when sound does not travel normally from the inner ear to the auditory pathway. 

Causes 

• Drugs that are toxic (harmful) to hearing
• Hearing loss that runs in the family (genetic or hereditary)
• Aging
• Head trauma
• Malformation of the inner ear
• Exposure to loud noise
• Syndromes

Risk Factors

• Family history of hearing loss
• Prolonged NICU stays
• Craniofacial abnormalities
• Meningitis
• Some genetic syndromes 
• Premature birth, low birth weight, severe jaundice or lack of oxygen at birth

Symptoms and Types

• Speech and language delay
• Poor attention
• Trouble following directions
• Behavioral problems
• Difficulties understanding conversations
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Asking for frequent repetition 

Diagnosis and Tests

A health care provider will look inside the child's ear with an otoscope, a small tool with a light. This helps them check for problems such as earwax buildup, infection, fluid in the ear, or damaged eardrum.

Your child may need hearing tests that include:

• Tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing checks how well the middle ear is working and helps identify where the hearing problem may be located.
• Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) measures how well the inner ear (cochlea) responds to sound.
• Auditory brainstem response (ABR) checks how the hearing nerve and brain respond to sound.
• Pure tone air and bone conduction testing finds the softest sounds your child can hear at different pitches.

Treatment and Care

Treatment may consist of:

• Hearing aids
• An FM system, which is a type of wireless system, along with hearing aids to hear better in noisy places
• Cochlear Implants for some children with profound hearing loss
• Speech and language therapy

Living and Managing

Children with sensorineural hearing loss will typically need ongoing support, depending on the severity of the hearing loss. Typical support includes:

• Tutoring in certain subjects in school depending on your child's ability
• American Sign Language if unable to develop adequate spoken language

You can help your child develop better speech and listening skills. For example:

• Repeat words and expand your child's vocabulary by introducing new words ("terrific" instead of "wonderful").
• Play listening games ("I hear the telephone ringing" or "Is that the front doorbell ringing?").

Your child could face additional educational risks due to listening challenges. You can help your child at home and at school in discussion with the teacher in ways such as:

• Learn about typical language development so you will be able to more easily notice if your child seems to be behind.
• Get your child's attention before you talk.
• Talk to your child on the side of the normal hearing ear.
• Make eye contact when talking.
• Be aware of your child's listening environment. For example, when talking, turn down the television.