Which type of hearing loss is characterized by damage to the inner ear?

Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by damage to the inner ear or to the auditory nerve pathways leading to the brain. This type of hearing loss typically results from damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, which are responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals. It can also involve issues with the auditory nerve itself, which transmits these signals to the brain.

In contrast, conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are blocked from reaching the inner ear, often due to problems in the outer or middle ear, such as earwax buildup or middle ear infections. Mixed hearing loss involves a combination of both conductive and sensorineural factors. Centrally-mediated hearing loss refers to issues that arise from the brain's processing of sound rather than from the sensory mechanisms themselves. Understanding these distinctions helps in accurately identifying the type of hearing loss and determining the appropriate intervention strategies.