Sensori – Neural & Mixed Hearing Loss
Sensori Neural Hearing Loss
A hearing loss is sensori-
The inner ear consists of:
- The Cochlea
- Auditory Nerve
1. The Cochlea:
The cochlea is a shell-


Damage to the inner ear can result in Sensori-
Factors that can cause damage to the hair cells of the cochlea include:
- Noise exposure
- Congenital conditions
- Ototoxic drugs
- Environmental causes
- Prematurity
- Age deterioration
- Trauma
- Lack of oxygen
- Specific viral/ bacterial infections

A) Intact Cochlea, No Damage
B) Damaged Hair Cells

Damaged Hair Cells
2. Auditory Nerve:
The electrical signals from the cochlea travel along the auditory nerve and through enormously complex neural pathways to the brain. The brain recognizes analyses and interprets the signals. Where does the auditory pathway begin and where does it end? It begins with hair cells of the Organ of Corti and it ends at the transverse temporal Gyri of Hescl containing the primary auditory cortex.

Auditory Neuropathy is a term used to label a spectrum of auditory dysfunctions where normal outer hair cell functioning is present in the cochlea; with an absent or severely abnormal auditory brain stem response at high levels. This condition is differentiated from ‘typical’ sensori-
With Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder, older children and adults may display hearing thresholds ranging from within normal limits to profound hearing loss and poorer perception of speech than what would be expected when compared to the hearing thresholds.
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) is prevalent with infants born prematurely and with low birth weight. The prevalence figures for ANSD in high-
Mixed Hearing Loss

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