What primarily distinguishes sensorineural hearing loss from conductive hearing loss?

Sensorineural hearing loss is primarily characterized by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve pathways that transmit sound signals to the brain. This type of hearing loss can result from various factors such as aging, noise exposure, infections, genetic factors, or injury to the auditory nerve or hair cells in the cochlea.

In contrast, conductive hearing loss involves problems in the outer or middle ear that hinder the transmission of sound waves to the inner ear. This can occur due to blockages, fluid accumulation, or other obstructions, such as earwax buildup. These conditions affect the physical movement of sound through the ear rather than the nerve pathways involved in sound perception.

Therefore, the essential distinction is that sensorineural hearing loss is related to nerve damage or dysfunction, while conductive hearing loss is associated with physical impediments to sound transmission in the outer or middle ear. Understanding this difference is crucial in diagnosing and managing hearing impairment in various populations.