Final answer:
Hearing loss can be caused by sensorineural damage, typically irreversible and related to inner ear or auditory nerve issues, or by conductive damage, which affects the transmission of sound in the outer or middle ear and can sometimes be managed with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two basic types of physiological damage that can create hearing loss are sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is related to damage or dysfunction in the inner ear or auditory nerve, often due to aging, trauma, infections, or exposure to loud noises which can destroy the hair cells in the cochlea that are essential for hearing. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound vibrations are impeded in the outer or middle ear, possibly due to blockage, damage to the ossicles, or problems with the tympanic membrane. While conductive hearing loss can sometimes be managed or partially overcome with hearing aids that send vibrations to the cochlea through the skull, sensorineural damage is often irreversible, making prevention, such as avoiding loud noise or wearing ear protection, crucial. In some cases, cochlear implants may provide a solution for those with sensorineural hearing loss by stimulating the auditory nerve directly.