Sensorineural deafness Health Article

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Table of Contents

Definition Alternative Names Common Causes

Reviewer Info: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery and Gene Therapeutics Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 06/12/2009

Definition

Sensorineural deafness is decreased hearing or hearing loss that occurs from damage to the inner ear, the nerve that runs from the ear to the brain (auditory nerve), or the brain.

For more information, see the article on hearing loss.

Alternative Names

Nerve deafness

Common Causes

Sensorineural deafness can be present at birth (congenital), or it can develop later in life (acquired) as a result of:

Disease of the blood vessels (vascular disease)
Immune disease
Infections
Injury
Meniere's disease
Multiple sclerosis
Use of certain medicines
Tumor

In some cases, the cause is unknown.

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Ear anatomy

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