Final answer:
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to issues with neural signal transmission from the cochlea to the brain and can result from conditions like Ménière's disease. Cochlear implants can help by stimulating the auditory nerve directly. For individuals born without the malleus, hearing aids that send vibrations through the skull can partially overcome conductive losses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Hearing Loss and Treatment Options
Patients with hearing loss may experience various difficulties, depending on the type of loss they suffer from. In cases where the problem lies in the transmission of neural signals from the cochlea to the brain, it is known as sensorineural hearing loss. Conditions like Ménière's disease can lead to the degeneration of inner ear structures, resulting in symptoms like hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and increased ear pressure. While traditional hearing aids may not be effective for this type of loss, a cochlear implant could provide a treatment option. It delivers sound information directly to the auditory nerve, bypassing the damaged pathways.
If an individual lacks the malleus, a normal hearing mechanism is disrupted because the chain of bones in the middle ear, which includes the malleus, incus, and stapes, cannot transmit sound vibrations from the tympanum (eardrum) to the cochlea effectively. On the other hand, conductive losses resulting from middle ear problems can be somewhat mitigated using hearing aids that transmit vibrations through the skull to the cochlea. However, there is a risk of further damage from amplification. Conversely, cochlear implants have become a widely accepted solution for cases where the cilia in the cochlea are damaged but the nerves remain functional. These implants are now in use worldwide, offering a valuable solution for improved hearing.