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Definition
Hearing loss is a decreased ability to hear. There are two main categories of hearing loss:
Conductive hearing loss—due to something interfering with the sound passing to the inner ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss—due to damage to:
- The major organ in the ear responsible for hearing (the cochlea).
- The major nerve pathway (8th cranial nerve) and/or area of the brain responsible for hearing.
The Anatomy of the Ear
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
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