Sensorineural hearing loss involves the inner ear or hearing nerve. It can be sudden or gradual, one-sided or bilateral, and temporary or permanent. Surgery is not the default treatment; the cause, timing and hearing-test pattern guide care.
Assessment
The clinician reviews onset, side, progression, tinnitus, vertigo, noise exposure, infections, medicines, family history and neurological symptoms. Ear examination and formal audiometry are commonly important. Additional laboratory tests, imaging or specialist referral are selected according to the clinical pattern rather than ordered as a fixed package.
Cause-specific management
Management depends on whether the loss is sudden, age-related, noise-related, genetic, infectious, medication-associated or linked to another condition. Time-sensitive medical treatment may be considered for sudden sensorineural hearing loss after urgent assessment. This page intentionally does not provide a drug, dose or self-treatment schedule.
Hearing rehabilitation
When hearing loss is stable or permanent, options may include communication strategies, hearing aids, assistive devices, tinnitus support and hearing rehabilitation. Device selection requires a hearing profile, listening needs and counselling. Benefit varies and ongoing adjustment may be needed.
Implant and surgical pathways
Cochlear-implant or other implant assessment is reserved for selected people who meet audiological and clinical criteria. Evaluation and surgery may require referral to an appropriate implant centre. Prime ENT Center does not claim through this page that every implant programme or operation is performed on site.
What to bring
- Previous audiograms and imaging.
- A medicine and allergy list.
- Details of when the change began and whether it fluctuates.
- Current hearing devices and information about situations where hearing is difficult.
Medical information: Urgency and treatment are determined by onset, examination and hearing-test findings.