What type of hearing loss is characterized by damage to the cochlea's receptor cells or the auditory nerves?

Sensorineural deafness refers to hearing loss that occurs due to damage to the inner ear structures, particularly the cochlea's receptor cells (hair cells) or the auditory nerve itself. This type of hearing loss can result from various factors, including aging, exposure to loud noises, infections, or genetic conditions. In sensorineural deafness, because the damage affects the neural pathways responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain, individuals typically experience a reduction in sound clarity or an inability to perceive certain frequencies.

In contrast, conductive deafness involves problems with sound transmission through the outer or middle ear, which does not affect the inner ear or auditory nerve directly. Tinnitus is not a type of hearing loss but rather a perception of noise or ringing in the ears without an external sound source. The acoustic reflex pertains to the involuntary muscle contraction response in the middle ear to loud sounds, helping protect the inner ear but is not related to the type of hearing loss itself. Therefore, sensorineural deafness stands out as the type of hearing loss directly linked to damage in the cochlea and auditory pathways.