This type of hearing loss occurs when the inner ear of the hearing nerve suffers damage and cannot be treated medically. However it can be counteracted with the use of hearing aids. Normally this is permanent and accounts for roughly 95% of all hearing losses.

Common Causes of sensorineural hearing loss may include:
• Prebycusis (a natural deterioration of the hair cells that comes with age)
• Ototoxicicity (the use of medications that are toxic to the hearing system)
• Inner ear infection
• A tumor (acoustic neuroma)
• Inner ear infection
• Excessive noise exposure

This type of hearing loss occurs when sound is no longer being transmitted to the inner ear suitably due to a "mechanical" problem often due to damage or blockage in the outer or middle ear. Unlike sensorineural, most conductive hearing losses can be corrected medically.

Common causes of conductive hearing loss may include:
• Ear infection(s) causing fluid build-up or inflammation
• Wax accumulation in the ear canal
• Otosclerosis fixation of the ossicles
• Trauma to the eardrum or ossicles