Final answer:
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is a failure to transmit neural signals from the cochlea to the brain. It is often caused by factors such as aging, trauma, infections, medications, and exposure to loud noise. Cochlear implants can be a treatment option for some individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sensorineural hearing loss refers to a hearing problem that occurs when there is a failure to transmit neural signals from the cochlea to the brain. It is the most common form of hearing loss and can be caused by various factors such as aging, head or acoustic trauma, infections, medications, and exposure to loud noise. One disease that can result in sensorineural hearing loss is Ménière's disease, which leads to degeneration of inner ear structures and can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and increased pressure within the inner ear.
This type of hearing loss cannot be treated with hearing aids, but some individuals may be candidates for cochlear implants. Cochlear implants are electronic devices that directly stimulate the auditory nerve to transmit sound signals to the brain. They consist of a microphone, a speech processor, and an electrode array.