Professional
Technical
IVT
sensorineural hearing loss
Hearing impairment caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve pathways.
Full Definition
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) results from dysfunction of the cochlea, auditory nerve, or central auditory pathways. This type of hearing loss is typically permanent and affects the ability to hear soft sounds or understand speech clearly. In clinical documentation, it must be distinguished from conductive hearing loss, as treatment approaches differ significantly. SNHL can be sudden onset, progressive, or congenital.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as a compound adjective. Abbreviate as SNHL only after first use.
In Context
- "The patient presented with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss of unknown etiology." — Medical history
- "Hearing aids are the primary intervention for moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss." — Treatment plan
Also known as
SNHL
nerve deafness
perceptive hearing loss
Contrasted with
conductive hearing loss
Don't confuse with
conductive hearing loss
mixed hearing loss