Hearing Loss: Nerve Loss :: Adults

Hearing Loss: Nerve Loss Neurosensory hearing loss is caused by nerve damage, dysfunction or loss. Sounds reach the inner ear but are not transmitted to the brain by the nerves as they should be.
click to enlarge image	click to enlarge image
Common Causes aging genetic predisposition exposure to loud noises Rare Causes acoustic neuroma - a tiny benign (NOT a cancer!) growth of the cells that insulate the acoustic nerves. side effect of certain medicines, such as the antibiotics called aminoglycosides and the chemotherapy drug cis-platinum injury (head concussion or skull fracture) endocrine disorders infections such as measles and mumps autoimmune disorders such as polyarteritis and lupus blockage of a blood vessel in the ear a hereditary syndrome exposure to radiation
click to enlarge image	Diagnosis A review of your history Examination of the ear Hearing test (audiogram) Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), sometimes MRI (sometimes)
Treatment
click to enlarge image	Although receptor cells can regenerate after injury in birds, reptiles and amphibians, for humans we have only those cochlear receptor cells that we are born with. The best treatment is prevention. Hearing aids and other devices Cochlear implants, reserved for profound losses when hearing aids are inadequate. Acoustic neuroma - It can strangulate the nerves that service hearing and balance and therefore may need to be treated. Acoustic neuromas are slow growing and sometimes can simply be watched, but can be controlled with surgery or specialized radiation therapy (gamma knife).

Hearing Loss: Nerve Loss

Diagnosis

Treatment