Final answer:
Hearing loss can be categorized into two types: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is due to problems in the outer or middle ear affecting sound conduction, while sensorineural results from damage in the inner ear, including the cochlea or auditory nerve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two basic types of physiological damage that can create hearing loss are conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss occurs due to problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from being properly conducted to the inner ear. This can result from issues like blockage of the ear canal, damage to the middle ear ossicles, or fluid in the middle ear. Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, is related to damage in the inner ear, specifically to the hair cells in the cochlea or the auditory nerve. Causes for sensorineural hearing loss include aging, head trauma, infections, diseases, exposure to loud noises, and ototoxic chemicals.
Hearing aids can help to treat conductive hearing loss by sending vibrations directly to the cochlea, while sensorineural hearing loss may be addressed with hearing aids that amplify sound or cochlear implants that directly stimulate the auditory nerves.