Sensorineural hearing loss is hearing loss that is caused by damage or malformation of the cochlea or auditory nerve. Unlike conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is usually considered permanent.

An open fit hearing aid is similar to a behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid, but open fit hearing aids are smaller and leave the ear canal open. Open fit hearing aids are sometimes called open canal (OC) hearing aids or open ear hearing aids. Open fit hearing aids fit behind the ear with a tiny, clear tube that extends into the ear canal.

Heredity, prenatal infections, drug exposure, and genetic defects can cause hearing loss in newborns. Hearing loss in children is often not the result of and general deafness, but his hearing loss that is acquired during childhood from injury, infection, illness, or noise exposure.