Final answer:
Sensorineural Hearing Loss in adulthood can be caused by noise exposure, aging, genetic factors, and ototoxic medications, leading to the inability to transmit signals from the cochlea to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) that occur in adulthood include factors such as noise exposure, aging, genetic factors, and certain medications. Environmental factors, such as regular exposure to loud music or construction equipment, can lead to sensorineural hearing loss, putting musical performers and construction workers at particular risk. Aging is another significant cause, with the natural degradation of inner ear structures over time. Genetic predispositions can also influence the likelihood of developing SNHL, as can ototoxic medications that damage the sensory cells in the cochlea or auditory nerve.
SNHL is characterized by a failure to transmit neural signals from the cochlea to the brain, potentially caused by damage or absence of hair cells in the organ of Corti, an abnormal auditory nerve, or damage to cochlear structures. While damage to the nerves in the cochlea is not repairable, treatments such as cochlear implants, which stimulate the nerves directly, have become widely accepted for those with functional nerves but damage to the cilia.