What are common causes of sensorineural hearing loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerves that connect the inner ear to the brain. The correct answer highlights common causes of this type of hearing loss, which include aging, exposure to loud noise, ototoxic drugs, and genetic factors.

Aging, or presbycusis, is a natural process where the structures of the inner ear deteriorate over time, leading to progressive hearing loss. Exposure to loud noises, whether from environments like concerts or machinery, can cause permanent damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, resulting in hearing loss. Ototoxic medications, which may be used to treat other conditions, can adversely affect hearing by harming the inner ear structures. Genetic factors can predispose individuals to sensorineural hearing loss due to hereditary conditions affecting hearing sensitivity or the structure of the ear.

Recognizing these causes is essential for understanding the underlying mechanisms of sensorineural hearing loss and for creating effective treatment and management strategies. Other options listed in the question, such as earwax accumulation and middle ear infections, are more typically associated with conductive hearing loss, while allergies, sinus infections, and inflammation of the outer ear do not directly contribute to sensorineural hearing loss.